Gulf News Videographer Irish Eden Belleza is stationed in the Pacquiao camp in the build up to 'the fight of the century' against Floyd Mayweather. She will bring you exclusive daily updates, including words, video and pictures, throughout this week ahead of the the biggest boxing match in decades.
In less than a week the fight of the century between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will finally happen.
Hardcore boxing fans are pinching themselves to check if it is not a dream. After all, just a few months ago no one would have ever predicted that the most anticipated boxing showdown of this era would actually push through this year.
You, however, do not have to pinch yourselves.
Gulf News will bring you the latest news from where the action is. We are currently stationed here in Los Angeles where Pacquiao is training for the fight, before we will move to Las Vegas, where Mayweather's training base is located and where the fight will ultimately be held.
As the fight draws closer, we are looking forward to rubbing elbows and perhaps having a chat with some of supporting acts who are adding colour to this mega fight.
On Tuesday (Monday, US time) we are scheduled to talk with the first boxing idol of Pacquiao, who is currently here in LA as it is now his turn to cheer on his former fan. Watch out for that interview as this idol-turned-fan shares his predictions and analysis on the upcoming fight.
In 2009, when Gulf News sent me to Baguio City in the Philippines to cover Pacquiao's preparations for his fight against Miguel Cotto, I found a man with an extraordinary charisma, a genuine people's champion. He was truly a man of the masses.
Based on what I have gathered so far in my first few interactions with people close to him who are currently here in Los Angeles, I sense that Pacquiao remains the same man I knew him to be when I first interviewed him in 2009.
As I am writing this piece, I am waiting for one of Pacquiao's close friends who will be taking me to meet the boxer's family, who are all here to support Manny in the biggest fight of his career.
Indeed, Pacquiao's love for his family is one of the things that stood out when I first came to know him.
It would be interesting to know what his loved ones would have to say as Pacquiao steps into the ring with arguably the best boxer he will ever fight.
Stay tuned.
