As Sugar Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao prepped for Saturday’s fight, we couldn’t help but notice that they both would be backed by some famous hip-pop friends.
LL Cool J escorted Mosley down the aisle, while Rick Ross put his support behind Pacquiao, who, in the end was victorious, holding Mosley to just 22 punches in 12 rounds.
After a little research, we here at GlobalGrind decided to run down the list of rappers who proved that they pack muscle (get it) with their athlete friends. Check out the list on the next pages.
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LL Cool J and Sugar Shane Mosley
While Rick Ross’ support of Manny Pacquiao was highly publiciized with press releases and blog posts floating around the ‘net days before the event, many were surprised to see LL Cool J show up and perform Mosley’s fight-walk music, “Mama Said Knock You Out.” Unfortunately, Mosley didn’t follow LL’s grandma’s advice.
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Rick Ross and Manny Pacquiao
As previously reported, Rick Ross threw his support behind Manny Pacquiao, who was the clear winner of Saturday night’s fight. Some might wonder what Ross’ connection is to the boxer. There are two theories. One is that the pair became familiar when both were tapped for Nike’s “Boom” campaign. The second is that Pacquiao is using his new friendship with Rick Ross to taunt Floyd Mayweather, who is buddies with Ross’ old rival 50 Cent.
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50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather
It’s no secret 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather are homies. The pair have reportedly been friends for the past five years. And, unlike the aforementioned bonds, Mayweather and 50’s friendship exists outside of the ring as well [see: pictures of the duo drinking margaritas]. When Mayweather isn’t training for a bout, and 50 is working on a movie or (not) working on a new album, these friends back each other’s beefs. In 2009, Mayweather participated in 50’s beef with Ross by hosting a get together between the rapper and Rozay’s son and baby momma. Yikes!
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Fat Joe and Miguel Cotto
In 2009, Fat Joe showed support for his Puerto Rican brethren Miguel Cotto by escorting the boxer to the ring for his fight with Manny Pacquiao, which Cotto would go on to lose. Later on, Fat Joe would prove to be a legit ally of Cotto’s when the rapper was spotted sitting next to Cotto’s wife during his bout with Yuri Foreman in 2010 at Yankee Stadium … that fight turned out better than 2009’s bout. Cotto won via TKO in the ninth round.
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Big Pun and Felix “Tito” Trinidad
Big Pun has been resting in peace since 2009, so some might forget that the Puerto-Rican rapper was cohorts with fellow Rican Felix “Tito” Trinidad. One of the most musically festive entrances belonged to Trinidad, when he tapped Big Pun for his grand entrance music during his fight against Oscar De La Hoya in 1999. Trinidad won, so looks like Pun was his good luck charm.
