Manny Pacquiao dodges near-assault in LA – reports

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao reportedly dodged an assault attempt outside of Kabuki restaurant in Los Angeles on Monday, April 4 (Sunday US time), according to reports.

Per Philippine Star boxing reporter Abac Cordero, a “white male” had to be “restrained by Pacquiao aides” from assaulting the 8-division boxing champion as he was exiting the restaurant.

The boxer was by the door of his Ferrari at the backdoor parking lot when the unidentified assailant “rushed to him.” As he was held back, the attacker reportedly screamed “F-ck you” at Pacquiao.

Pacquiao nearly assaulted as he came out of Kabuki restaurant this afternoon. White male was restrained by Pacquiao aides hurling FYs on MP

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) April 4, 2016

Edward Lura, a long-time friend of Pacquiao in Los Angeles, was reportedly the first to halt the potential assault. Cordero also states that Pacquiao ordered his companions “not to hurt the person,” and that the boxer’s group “did not call the police.” The reason for the attack was not immediately known.

“I really thought he was going to hit Manny. He came in fast. He almost got to Manny,” said Pacquiao’s personal assistant, David Sisson, according to Cordero’s tweet.

Cordero tweets: “Pacquiao tells his companions, hot under the collar, ‘Let him go. Let him go!'”

Assailant was held and pushed away from Pacquiao who ordered his companions not to hurt the person. @PhilippineStar

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) April 4, 2016

The incident was confirmed to Rappler by an eyewitness source.

(READ: Manny Pacquiao deserves a second chance)

Pacquiao, who is in training for his April 9 farewell fight against Timothy Bradley Jr, will wrap up camp with a sparring session on Tuesday Manila time before heading to Las Vegas. – Rappler.com