(Las Vegas NV) Team Pacquiao has now taken me under its wing.  Having more access than most prime-time reporters to this specific camp, just hours after my arrival into Las Vegas for the Pacquiao / Mosley fight did I find myself in Pacquiao's suite at Mandalay Bay's The Hotel.  Sitting high above Las Vegas, I stood next to Filipino politicians, Pacquiao's relatives and closest friends, and a Showtime channel documentary crew.  Before I knew it, I was riding with the entourage on the bus headed over to MGM Grand, where the pre-fight weigh-in would take place.  The following morning, I attended one of Pacquiao's final pre-fight Catholic Mass rituals.  I attended the fight Saturday night and saw my beloved champion slip on the mat which was inexcusably ruled as a 'knockdown', rekindling a fire deep within my champion that I hadn't seen in recent fights. Pacquiao would win the decision in his fight against Sugar Shane Mosley.  Although I stood front-row center at Pacquiao's post-fight after-party concert at Mandalay Bay I needed to leave before Manny appeared  so I could get ready for my flight back home.

On May 7, 2011 Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao fought ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley at MGM Grand in Las Vegas NV.  I had been given some unique access to actually hang out in Manny’s suite at Mandalay Bay’s The Hotel the day before the fight.  Showtime 360 (visible behind me in this image) was actually filming their documentary footage leading up to the fight.

With Buboy Fernandez, Manny’s right-hand man.  Buboy and Manny have been friends since childhood, where Manny took Buboy under his wing promising that he could ‘make him one of the best boxing trainers in the world someday.’

Riding on one of Pacquiao’s ‘entourage’ buses, taking us from Mandalay Bay’s ‘The Hotel’ to MGM Grand for the pre-fight weigh-in.

With Pacquiao and Mosley about to take the stage for the pre-fight weigh-in behind me in the background, I take my seat in the MGM Grand’s ‘Garden Arena.’

Historically, Pacquiao would have a Catholic Mass prior to, and after, his fights.  In this photo (I’m circled in red about 5 rows back from Manny), you can see Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza amongst the distinguished attendees.  Could this be one of the last Catholic services Manny attends?

A big left from Pacquiao in the 3rd round put Mosley down.  Mosley appeared defeated each time he left his corner for the rest of the night.

Manny Pacquiao emerges as the victor on this great night, winning over Shane Mosley via unanimous decision.

With 16,412 spectators, generating more than $8.8 million in live gate receipts, ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael would later note that tonight’s attendance was the 14th best boxing attendance in Nevada’s history.

(Los Angeles CA) While in Los Angeles, I was invited to attend a morning exercise session of Filipino boxing great, Manny Pacquiao.

Although Pacquiao retains his political office as a Congressman in the Philippines, he also owns 2 separate homes in Los Angeles CA. On the morning of this training session, for approximately 45 minutes I was able to watch my favorite celebrity-of-all-time train for his upcoming bout against Brandon ‘Bam Bam’ Rios.