Manny Pacquiao is a genuine renaissance man. Besides being a world class boxing champion, he's also juggling responsibilities as a congressman, philanthropist, businessman, actor, budding musician and family man in his native Philippines.
But when it comes time for a big boxing match, Pacquiao hunkers down in Hollywood for a few rituals that he thinks will guarantee another win, this time for his upcoming match with Juan Manuel Marquez: train with Coach Freddie Roach and sing karaoke on Jimmy Kimmel Live. What follows is a snapshot of his week in Hollywood, his home away from home.
The Wall Street Journal followed Pacquiao this week as he hit the Wild Card (a boxing club owned by Coach Roach), filled up at a local Thai restaurant (Nat's Thai Food) and playing games of darts and chess with his massive entourage in a small Hollywood apartment (he prefers to hang out there despite owning a grand home in Hancock Park).
Watch the WSJ's video report:
According to the WSJ, the Wild Card is normally closed down during Pacquiao's training session. But on Thursday, TMZ spotted Kobe Bryant sneaking in to work out at the same time Pacquiao was training. No, they weren't in the ring together, but as TMZ put it, "Would be a helluva fight though."
The Associated Press has more on Pacquiao's time with the Laker great:
Pacquiao's small caravan of SUVs shows up at Kimmel's theater about two hours before taping. Pacquiao isn't driving his brand-new Ferrari because it wouldn't start this morning, and he spent part of the day hanging out with Kobe Bryant, who dropped in on the Wild Card on short notice to meet Pacquiao, his fellow Nike endorser.
Later on that evening, Pacquiao stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to sing a song ("How Deep Is Your Love" by the Bee Gees). Here's hoping his Hollywood rituals will keep him loose and fast for his upcoming match!
Check out photos of Pacquiao training at the Wild Card, taken on October 26 during a media preview session. All photos by Getty/ROBYN BECK.
