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Los Angeles — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao starts the long travel that will culminate in a showdown with the legendary Oscar De la Hoya, as he leads a convoy of vehicles including the “Pacman” bus on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines) for a five-hour trip to the world's entertainment capital, Las Vegas.
The iconic Filipino boxing superstar, who heads the mythical pound-for-pound list, is scheduled for his final sparring session against Rashad Holloway at 11 a.m. on Monday (LA time), before joining his family, friends and team members for the long trek to Sin City.
Pacquiao will motor to Vegas on board his Lincoln Navigator, as he always does, instead of the Pacman bus which has been commissioned by promoter Bob Arum for his use. The bus, which has Pacquiao's face painted all over it, will most likely be used by Team Pacquiao members including Filipino mediamen covering the fight.
Pacquiao did not report to the gym on Sunday, but reportedly ran in the morning before attending mass at the Christ the King church, just a mile away from the famed Wild Card Gym, where he received special blessing from the parish priest.
After the mass, Pacquiao signed autographs and posed for photos with a throng of fans waiting for him outside the church.
Arrival rites
Organizers plan a grand arrival ceremonies for Pacquiao at the main entrance of the Mandalay Bay at 11 a.m.
At around 12:30 p.m., Oscar De la will have his grand arrival at the main entrance of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.
The press room for the fight will also officially open starting 9 a.m., where accredited mediamen will get the chance to claim their temporary credentials while the final press conference takes place on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
On Thursday, a special press conference for the undercard takes place, followed by the 12:30 p.m. media interview with Nacho Beristain and Angelo Dundee.
Freddie Roach will face the media at 1 p.m. Later in the day, the final screening of HBO's 24/7 can be seen live from the Studio A and B of the MGM Grand.
The official weigh-in is scheduled for Friday, 2 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Meanwhile, De la Hoya remains a solid favorite to defeat Pacquiao according to the MGM Sportsbook, although margins are expected to tighten on the day of the fight when Filipino and Mexican money start trickling into Vegas sportsbooks.
