Follow-up to the Bob Dylan visit to the Wild Card Gym

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Update to the story that went viral: Pacquiao’s spokesperson Fred Sternburg tweeted later, “I’ve never seen the place (the Wild Card Gym) take on such an aura like this, and I’ve been going to that gym for nearly a decade. We were all awestruck. Manny sparred eight different rounds with two different fighters while Dylan was there. He stayed for an hour and sat on a bench that you’d use to lift weights. Before and after the sparring, Dylan posed for photographs with anyone that asked and signed autographs. He accommodated everybody and smiled the whole time. But, my God, it was Bob Dylan! It was like seeing one of the apostles.

“It was a huge thrill for everyone. Many celebrities have come to watch Pacquiao in training to include comedian Don Rickles, actors Lou Diamond Phillips, Mark Wahlberg, Mickey Rourke, Jean Claude Van Damme, Jeremy Renner, Denzel Washington, Steven Seagal, Robert Duval, Jeremy Piven, Christian Bale, Jessica Alba, NBA stars Reggie Miller, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant and from baseball Derek Jeter, plus boxing greats Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.”

But this visit was extra special and even Pacquiao got involved later by tweeting the above, lead photo to which I have added my own sentiments in regards to their struggles to become so successful.