Manny Pacquiao Verbally Assaulted And Almost Attacked Outside LA Restaurant

By Carlo Monzon
Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao at a speaking engagement in Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Wikimedia Commons/Mike Gonzalez

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is currently in Los Angeles training for his upcoming fight against Timothy Bradley, which is all set to happen this week. Recently, after visiting his favorite Japanese restaurant in the city, the boxer was verbally assaulted and almost attacked by a crazed individual.

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon as he and members of his team were leaving the Japanese-themed restaurant Kabuki in Hollywood. As he was on his way to his Ferrari in the parking lot, a white male rushed at him and started dropping f-bombs at the boxer, LA Eater reported.

The man almost came within arm's length of Pacquiao before he was intercepted and pushed away by the athlete's aides.

"I really thought he was going to hit Manny," personal assistant David Sison said. "He came in fast. He almost got to Manny."

It is not yet clear what provoked the assault, but as noted by Frontiers Media, it may have something to do regarding Pacquiao's comments about members of the LGBT community earlier this year.

Earlier in February, Pacquiao voiced out his strong opinions against homosexuals. Aside from the backlash he received from the LGBT community, his major sponsor Nike also dropped him as an endorser due to his homophobic statements.

Apparently, the incident on Sunday could still be related to this issue since according to Sisson, the man who tried to attack the boxer called him a homophobe, according to Bad Left Hook.

But, despite the incident, Pacquiao told his security team to let the man go.

"Manny told them not to hurt the guy," Sisson said. "And said 'let him go, let him go."

Pacquiao also said that he and his camp will not press any charges against the assailant. Sisson also said that the boxer has already forgiven the man because that's what his religion has taught him.

Based on the events that happened last weekend, it seems Pacquiao should be careful whenever he's out in public as there may be other individuals looking to express their anger at the boxer for what he said a couple of months ago.

As for his upcoming bout, the Pacman is set to face off against Desert Storm Bradley on April 9 at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas.

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