Ahead of their May 7, 2011 bout, Manny Pacuiao and Shane Mosley have embarked on a media tour, starting from Los Angeles Thursday where over 300 media members packed the Rodeo Ballroom at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
However, on Saturday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, the press weren’t the only ones allowed to ask questions.
Landing in their second of four targeted cities, Pacquiao and Mosley fielded – and weathered – a variety of comments and questions from nearly two dozen fans picked from an audience of 2,000.
One woman just wanted to audition for Pacquiao to sing the Philippines national anthem on May 7, and Pacquiao accepted a CD demo from her. Another lady just wanted a photo taken with the Filipino superstar – “Pacman” obliged, having security escort her to the dais. Another guy just wanted to see if one of the Tecate girls was single.
One fan asked what motivated the two fighters to knock each other out. “I’m just there to do my job,” Pacquiao said. “If the knockout happens, it happens.” Mosley begged to differ: “Come on, Manny. You know you want to knock me out. It’s okay, I want to knock you out too.”
Other questions of note:
Q: Do you like Justin Bieber? Because your hair looks like him.
Pacquiao: “That’s a good question. I like it, but Bruce Lee is my idol.”
Q: Would you ever run for Congress?
Mosley: “I’m not sure I have that kind of talent that Manny has.”
The most controversial question came from a man who told Pacquiao, “Would you please, for everyone, just take the test?”
After the audience booed him, Pacquiao, to his credit, answered: “You have to believe that my boxing skill is natural. I am strong. I do not take medicine. I’m all-natural.”