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Concert King Martin Nievera sang the Philippine national anthem at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday (Manila time), signaling the start of the long-awaited the “Battle of East and West” match between Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.

Reportedly wearing a Francis Magalona designed shirt inside his suit, Nievera sang “Lupang Hinirang” before thousands of boxing fans who trooped to Las Vegas to watch the junior welterweight bout between the Filipino boxer and British fighter.

“God Save the Queen,” the British national anthem and United States’ “Star-Spangled Banner” were sung by Tom Jones and Jasmine Villegas, respectively.

Celebrity couple Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres and composer Lito Camo flew to Las Vegas to support Pacman.

However, Filipino stars were not the only ones spotted in the arena watching the fight.

Hollywood stars Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington and Jeremy Piven and international singers Sean Combs, Jay-Z and Mariah Carey, along with husband Nick Cannon, were among those seen in the crowd.

In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News, the concert king said he still had to undergo his own training and rehearse the anthem countless times to make sure that he would not make a mistake.

Nievera was the first-ever male singer to render “Lupang Hinirang.”  Other Filipino female singers who rendered the country’s national anthem were Karylle, Lani Misalucha, Sarah Geronimo, Ciara Sotto, Geneva Cruz and Kyla.

Singing Lupang Hinirang in Pacquiao’s fights is a dream of many Filipino artists. World-renowned singer Lea Salonga and international young diva Charice, for instance, had expressed their desire to sing the national anthem.

Traditionally, the boxer handpicks an artist who will sing Lupang Hinirang in his fights.

The People’s Champ claimed the IBO light-welterweight title with a stunning second round knockout of Britain’s Hatton.

The 30-year-old southpaw twice knocked the Englishman to the canvas in the opening round before ending the fight with a stinging left hook two minutes and 39 seconds into the second round.

• ABS-CBN News
• Pinoy Showbiz

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