Anthony Agoncillo of Las Vegas got a tattoo of Manny Pacquiao on his body. PHOTO BY JOHN JARASA
LAS VEGAS – How do you pledge your allegiance to your favorite boxer? You take it to the grave.
Las Vegas resident Anthony Agoncilio decided to show his support for his favorite boxer, Manny Pacquiao, by getting a portrait of the famed boxer permanently tattooed on the side of his stomach. Artist Robert Pho did the tattoo and the piece took 16 hours to complete.
The tattoo, which stands at just over a foot tall, was a painful process, and when we asked Anthony how it felt he said, “It was definitely more painful around the rib cage area, but this pain is nothing compared to the hours that Manny has spent preparing for this fight, so it’s a small price to pay.”
But how would Anthony feel if Manny were to lose what is being dubbed “The Fight of the Century”? His response: “He won’t.” Yet after some brief cajoling on our part, he replied in a more serious tone, “Even if Manny were to lose, he’d always be a winner because he’s motivated and inspired so many of us in a humble and caring manner so that’s all that counts.”
He added, “Boxing is a tricky sport because we all know that the real winners can lose in a decision, and even though a bad decision will strip a boxer of what’s deserved it can never strip from the fans from the inspiration we receive from them.”
Skin Design Tattoo, where Agoncillo got his tattoo, is one of the largest and most respected tattoo studios in Las Vegas. Featuring some of the world’s most admired, award-winning black and gray tattooists, Skin Design has been in business for over 25 years and is owned and operated by artist Robert Pho.