David Beckham rooting for Manny Pacquiao in Macau; George Clooney also attending fight

David Beckham rooting for Manny Pacquiao in Macau; George Clooney also attending fight
Agence France-Presse • Saturday, November 23, 2013 • 2:39 pm

MACAU – Asian boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao will not only have the support of a Filipino-packed crowd when he fights Brandon Rios on Sunday, but also a phalanx of celebrity cheerleaders, led by David Beckham.

The former England football captain will be joined at the Macau ringside by a number of celebrity guests for the fight, including Oscar-wining actor and director George Clooney, Sands China CEO Ed Tracy confirmed.

Reality TV star Paris Hilton and Daniel Wu and Eddie Peng will also be at ringside, while American rap superstar 50 Cent is also strongly rumoured to be flying in to see “Pac-Man’s” comeback fight.

Singing star Alicia Keys, who has been performing concerts at the Venetian Resort where the bout will take place, is also expected to attend.

Beckham jetted in to the southern Chinese city on Friday and immediately declared himself to be a “huge fan” of eight-weight world champion Pacquiao.

Beckham arrived to announce a commercial partnership with the resort’s owners, Sands Las Vegas, but then let slip the real reason why he had decided to travel to the the semi-autonomous Chinese region this weekend.

“(Pacquiao) is obviously one of the reasons why I’m here and why I’m really excited,” said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star at a press conference.

“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 LA Galaxy and also there with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund).

“He really is a truly inspirational person.”

Beckham also had a message for the people of the Philippines as they attempt to rebuild their towns and lives after the devastation wreaked by Super Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, which has left nearly 7,000 people dead or missing.

“The eyes of the world have been on the Philippines the last couple of weeks,” said Beckham.
“This fight will mean so much to Manny because, for a slight moment, it’s 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.”

Pacquiao, coming off back-to-back defeats for the first time in his glittering career, takes on Rios in a “must-win” bout for the World Boxing Organization international welterweight championship in Macau on Sunday morning (Saturday night in the US).

The boxers are expected to touch gloves for the main event around 11:30 am (0330 GMT).
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Interesting. The fight's over now and Manny won - but no pix that I can see

Also interesting if he was spotted in Vancouver last night he must have had been some flight.....

silly girl wrote:Also interesting if he was spotted in Vancouver last night he must have had been some flight.....

I know now which story is correct?

Macau? Where is that?  

Carla97 wrote:Macau? Where is that?  

Southern parts of China

Wow

Jet setting, I think he did both. He is the one who can manage that, you know. George can be in several places within a short period of time. he's done that before and no doubt will again, if its what he wants to do.

~Macau~

perfect location for Ocean's 14  

... alas, trilogy sufficed

I call bullshit on George in Macau. That's one long flight to see a fight in which George probably has no interest.

Just another story using George's name to get more media coverage.

LornaDoone wrote:I call bullshit on George in Macau.  That's one long flight to see a fight in which George probably has no interest.

Just another story using George's name to get more media coverage.

I agree with you. If he has spare time from Tomorrowland, he is working on MM. He already moved it once and needs to make sure it is done to his satisfaction.

Complete bullshit. It's like all these stories of him going to Formula 1 races, Olympics and just about every other major sporting event.

He may well want to attend these events and I'm sure he gets plenty of invites but he rarely does go.