It's not every day that a man of great stature like Manny Pacquiao is commensurate to the unflattering word that is "underdog". It just doesn't add up; not when you're talking about that one boxer who has dominated the pound for pound rankings for years; not when you're talking about that puny kid from the Philippines who fought his way up to an unprecedented eight division world title; and not when you're talking about the pugilist whom some pundits regard as the best in his time.
On May 2nd, the fighting Congressman would step on the ring and take on the unfamiliar role of a sleeper. And it's all because it's not every day he would meet another boxer of Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s caliber. The two are in a league of their own.
But Manny Pacquiao has always found a way to triumph regardless of odds. Recently, his winning ways has trickled down from the sporting world onto the real estate arena. He reportedly dropped a cool $12.5 million for a 10,000 square foot Beverly Hills mansion. And, this is not without some stiff competition considering the fact that the area has some of the most coveted prime properties on the market.
Martin Rogers of USA Today reports that Manny Pacquiao just KO'd two other bidders for the home's ownership. His killer blow came in the form of four tickets to his upcoming megafight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Apparently, that was enough to knock the living daylights out of the competitors and came out on top as the undisputed "title holder".
"No doubt it helped," USA TODAY Sports was told by Elsa Nelson, the real estate agent of Pacquiao. "The sellers are great fans of boxing and of Manny, so it was a big deal."
The price of these tickets may look trifling as compared to the $12.5 million home value, but considering the fact that there were already rumors saying that tickets could cost as much as £100,000, and that "no tickets will go on general release to the public" as per the Daily Mail, these gratuities are priceless.
Bob Arum of Top Rank promotions also made it clear that no complimentary tickets will be given as reported by the BoxingScene. "Nobody is going to get these tickets without paying for them. The type of calls I'm getting, it's unbelievable. I could spend the rest of the day on the phone and sell out the entire place", he said.
The boxer, on the other hand, has stipulation of his own upon the purchase of the mansion. He wants the place to be fully-furnished, "fully stocked with furniture and home goods", and ready for occupancy, the USA Today notes.
Manny Pacquiao has already taken some time off from his grueling preparations ahead of the fight, and took his wife and kids with him for a tour of the lovely Beverly Hills estate. The judges' decision? Well, it's a unanimous decision in favor of their new private abode.
You can have your own tour of the house with the video below. The $12.5 million mansion should up Pacman's reported $100M net worth.
