Manny Pacquiao

Clarkson, Apl.de.ap pick Pacquiao to beat Spence

Roy Luarca

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Clarkson, Apl.de.ap pick Pacquiao to beat Spence

STAR-STUDDED. Manny Pacquiao shares a photo with two successful Filipino-Americans: NBA player Jordan Clarkson and rapper Apl.de.ap

Pacquiao's Instagram page

Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and international rapper Apl.de.ap pay Manny Pacquiao a visit in his Hollywood training camp for his title fight against Errol Spence

It came as no surprise Jordan Clarkson and Allan Pineda, popularly known as Apl.de.ap, are rooting for Manny Pacquiao to beat Errol Spence on Saturday, August 21 (Sunday, August 22, Philippine time).

The two Fil-Ams who have excelled in their respective fields – Clarkson as the NBA’s best Sixth Man, and Apl.de.ap as an international rapper – watched Pacquiao’s training and sparring at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood on Saturday and left convinced the eight-division world champion still has the tools to snap Spence’s 27-win run when they clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“Pacquiao,” Clarkson replied when asked by EsNews on his pick for the blockbuster bout between Spence, the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight champion, and Pacquiao, who was given the World Boxing Association super welterweight belt back at Wild Card on Friday.

“I’m a big fan of both fighters, but I gonna go with Manny,” said Apl.de.ap, the front act of Black Eyed Peas, who is a familiar figure in Pacquiao’s past training camps in Los Angeles.

“He (Pacquiao) hasn’t lost a step yet. So powerful, when I hear those cracks, I could feel it (and) I’m not even there.”

Proud that his top hits are being played whenever Pacquiao is training at the gym, Apl.de.ap couldn’t help but hum along with World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero.

According to Clarkson, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers before strutting his stuff with the Utah Jazz this year, he can’t wait to see the bout dangling Spence’s titles and the vacant The Ring crown.

Pumped up by the presence of Clarkson, who saw action for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, and Apl.de.ap, Pacquiao put on a show in the sparring session on Saturday, impressing conditioning coach Justin Fortune.

“Good sparring day, good eight rounds. Real fast and strong. He is king.” – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!