Jessica Sanchez to sing American anthem at Pacquiao-Bradley fight

By ANDREI MEDINA, GMA News

Published June 6, 2012 12:00pm

Jessica Sanchez, the first runner-up of this year's "American Idol," will be singing the American national anthem during the upcoming fight of Saranggani Rep. and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao against Timothy Bradley in the United States on June 9 (June 10 in the Philippines). On her Twitter account on Wednesday, Filipino-Mexican-American Sanchez, 16, said: “Singing the American National Anthem @ the Pacquiao fight this Saturday in Vegas! I am sooooooooo ecstatic!! :)”

On her Facebook page, Sanchez said: "Singing the national anthem this saturday in Vegas for the Pacquiao fight

so excited!!!! Btw, miss you guys♥"

On his blog, ESPN boxing writer Dan Rafael also said Sanchez will be singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, another Filipino-American — Broadway star Kirby Asunto — will be singing the Philippine national anthem during the World Welterweight title fight, according to entertainment blog Ayan Deato In Random. Sanchez and Asunto will be performing before a live audience of over 16,000, aside from the millions worldwide who will be viewing the match through pay-per-view, based on estimates of the boxing site Phil Boxing.

Mayweather or retirement after Bradley?

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) and Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) are both boxing superstars in their own right.

Bradley, the undefeated American World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion, will be challenging Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, earlier said he would encourage his protege to retire "if he looks bad" against Bradley.

"Bradley's no killer, but he tries hard," Roach said in an interview with the Associated Press. "Manny should eat him up as he comes forward. I think Manny should look really good in this fight.”

"[But] if he [Pacquiao] looks bad, he retires. At least I'll tell him to. And he may be the first one who will listen to me,” Roach added.

A more spiritual Pacquiao has become closer to his family in recent months and the change has served to rid him of the pre-fight distractions that supposedly plagued him before last November's bout against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Last March, Pacquiao told a Philippine radio station that God appeared to him in a dream, asking him to retire soon, saying, "I will not stay long in boxing because He said: 'You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful.'"

Asian-American songstress

Sanchez, 16, was the first "American Idol" contender of Filipino roots who made it to the Top Two of the singing reality competition. She was nearly eliminated from the contest on April 13 when she received the lowest number of votes

Sanchez sang her heart out until she reached the Top Two , only to be bested by "American Idol" Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips.

Phil Boxing said Sanchez will be part of "American Idol's Live! Tour" starting on July 6 where she would be rejoining the top 10 finalists of Season 11.

Broadway talent

Meanwhile, Pacquiao personally asked Broadway talent Asunto to perform for the upcoming bout which she immediately accepted without second thoughts.

'Pacman’ first heard Asunto sing during the celebration of the Holy Mass before his most recent match against Mexican boxing superstar Manuel Marquez last year which Pacquiao won.

Ayan Deato In Random said the 14-year-old Asunto also performed during Pacman's victory concert after the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.

Asunto was born in the Philippines but her family migrated to the US in 2006. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: jessicasanchez, unitedstates, pacquiao, bradley