LONDON (22 NOV) – David Beckham has flown into Macau to take up his ringside seat to show his support for the ‘inspirational’ Manny Pacquiao ahead of one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of the year.
The global icon has admitted that he is a ‘huge fan’ of the boxing superstar and has backed him to give the Philippine public something to cheer when he faces Brandon Rios live on BoxNation this weekend.
The Philippines has been left devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which has claimed the lives of over 4000 people and has left nearly 4 million displaced.
But Beckham expects the Filipino ace ‘Pacman’ to do the business and help put smiles back on the faces of his adoring public.
“It’s obviously one of the reasons why I’m here and why I’m really excited being here,” said Beckham. “I’m a huge fan of Manny’s. I met him a couple of years ago in the Philippines, when I was on tour there with the Galaxy and also there with UNICEF. And he truly is an inspirational person.
“I haven’t spoken to him, but I know how much this fight is going to mean to him this weekend because of everything that is happening in the Philippines. The eyes of the world have been on the Philippines the last couple of weeks and I know how much this is going to mean to him,” said the former England international.
“He’s not just loved around the world of sport or just around the world of boxing. But the way that people love him and are inspired by him. This fight will mean so much to him because for a slight moment this fight is going to put a smile on the people’s faces in the Philippines. And we all send out love and our hopes to the people in that part of the world,” Beckham added.
Pacquiao faces Rios in a bout that is a potential ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate and not only has it attracted Beckham but other star names such as Alicia Keys.
Macau is looking to build its boxing and entertainment profile with a host of top events being lined up in the near future, starting this weekend with one of the fight games pound-for-pound kings in Pacquiao, who looks to bounce back in sensational style from his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios is live on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch 546) this Sunday at 1.30am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.
BoxNation will donate £2 from every new subscription this week to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal for victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan.
