(Photo from Pacquiao’s official Twitter account)
MANILA – Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao was reportedly attacked by an unidentified person in a parking lot in Kabuki restaurant in Los Angeles, according to reports.
“Manny Pacquiao was attacked by unknown guy at parking lot of Kabuki restaurant earlier. Pacman was not hurt though,” sportswriter Gerry Ramos of SPIN.ph said in his Twitter account.
Abac Cordero, sportswriter of the Philippine Star, twitted: “Pacquiao was by the door of his Ferrari when the person rushed to him. Held back, person kept shouting f…k y.. Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao’s group did not call the police as the Filipino boxing superstar ordered his companions to release the unknown attacker.
Pacquiao is on his last week of preparation for his third fight against American Timothy Bradley on April 10 (Manila Time) in Las Vegas.
The Filipino fighter-turned-politician, who is seeking a senatorial seat in the May 9 elections, has earned the ire of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members over his recent anti-gay comment.
As a born-again Christian, Pacquiao has denounced same-sex marriage, calling the act as “worse than animals.”
Pacquiao has apologized, claiming his statements were taken out of context. However, he still maintained his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Bradley reportedly expressed concerns that Pacquiao’s comments against LGBT will have impact on their ticket sales.
Pacquiao is coming off a unanimous victory against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. and will return inside the ring with 57-6-2 records with 38 knockouts against Bradley’s 33-1-1, 13 Kos.
In their first meeting in June 2012, Bradley escaped a split decision while Pacquiao came back with a unanimous decision win in their second encounter on April 12, 2014.