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Fans rush to greet Pacquiao at L.A. airport

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/15/2008 5:51 PM

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Fans came from all over to get a glimpse of Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao as he arrived at the Tom Bradley International Airport Sunday night.

"The Philippine Airlines Flight 102 from Manila touched down at the LAX at 8:10 p.m. and at 9:15 p.m., Pacquiao and his trusted lawyer Franklin 'Jeng' Gacal walked up the hallway that led from the Immigration and Customs Section out to the city," Philboxing.com's Ed de la Vega said in an online report.

De la Vega said that as soon as Pacquiao and Gacal reached the arrival lobby, " all of a sudden people came from nowhere and swarmed around Pacquiao."

 "They all struggled to touch him and/or have a photo taken," he added.

De la Vega also said that the sudden outpour of fans from nowhere caught airport security personnel unaware.

Despite the crowd that rushed to meet the World Boxing Council lightweight champ, his handlers were able to escort him immediately to a waiting sport utility vehicle to spend the night at his Palazzo apartment in Wilshire district.

Pacquiao and his team left Manila Sunday night to promote his December 6 welterweight non-title fight against Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao, his team and handlers are set to go on a multi-city tour of the US to promote the fight.

Prior to his departure, the boxer said that he is "very much" prepared to face de la Hoya. He also said that despite being the underdog, he relishes the thought the odds are against him.

He said the underdog tag would make him strive harder in his preparations.