Manny Pacquiao gets a visit from Bob Dylan
Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Today, Bob Dylan, the music icon, most likely out jogging, swung by the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, CA to watch Manny Pacquiao, the boxing icon, work out and even watched as he went through a sparring session. To say the least, Pacquiao must have been blown away by the visit since he’s a bit of a troubadour himself.
Truth be told, Dylan, with his unruly hair and large Ray Ban sunglasses went unnoticed at first. In his prime, he would have had the streets packed in every direction with screaming fans trying to get a glimpse of this legend. Pacquiao, himself, had to be schooled in regards to the many songs he wrote and performed. You would have thought Pacquiao, who at one point released his own musical album, would have been the first to recognize Dylan, such an influential American musician and composer. After being enlightened, he was all smiles.
Bob Dylan (L) is presented with a Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Barack Obama (R) during an East Room event May 29, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. The Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
In case you have been living under a rock for the last 50+ years, the 72 year-old music legend, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, is a songwriter/musician who has sold more than 100 million records, made 61 albums and has received countless awards which include Grammies, Golden Globes and Academy Awards. He’s been inducted into most every Hall of Fame, from the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
To name just a few of his classics, he wrote Blowing in the Wind and The Times They are a-Changing, songs which became anthems for the U. S. civil rights and anti-war movements. And it’s doubtful anyone will ever forget his six-minute single Like a Rolling Stone. In May 2012, Dylan received the ultimate award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
As you can see from the above photos, it was Manny Pacquiao being the aggressor and landing the more meaningful blows throughout his controversial bout with Timothy Bradley back on June 9, 2012. Getty Images
No slouch himself, the 35 year-old, Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao, born Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, has also performed well in front of large audiences both on stage as soloist with his band and in the ring as a professional prizefighter. The former Pound for Pound Champion, who began his professional boxing career in 1995 at the age of 16, is an eight-time world champion, a six division World champion and has a record of 18-4-2 (10 KOs) against former or current world titlists.
Pacquiao is now in training for his rematch against undefeated WBO World Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. Back on June 9, 2012, Bradley won a controversial split decision over Pacquiao even though CompuBox Punch stats had Pacquiao landing almost 100 more punches. Hopefully, the two judges that had Pacquiao losing to Bradley 115-113, judges Duane Ford and C. J. Ross, will be on vacation somewhere other than Las Vegas so they won’t be judging the rematch.
In case you’re interested that Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 match will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.
