LOSING NOT AN OPTION FOR PACQUIAO
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 06 Apr 2015
LOS ANGELES - In his 20 years as a pro, Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao has never predicted the result of any of his 64 fights in that stretch.
Against the undefeated American Floyd Mayweather, whom he will be facing on May 2 (May 3 in Manila), the now 36-year-old World Boxing Organization titlist said, losing is never an option.
"As everybody is saying, the coming fight is the most important and the biggest in my life, so why think of losing?? Pacquiao told this writer Sunday after recording the newly-composed song that will be played when he walks from his dressing room to the ring.
"This will be my biggest fight in my 20-year fighting career kaya the more hindi ako dapat matalo. That is why I am calling all our countrymen back home and elsewhere to unite, pray for me and watch the fight because this fight for them and the Philippines," Pacquiao declared. "May 2 is the day I again will carry our flag on my shoulder and with all of our 100 million countrymen praying for my victory, I'm sure God will help me attain that."
"Pinakiusapan ko na ang lahat ng television network sa bansa to join join hands in covering the showdown from Las Vegas and they all heeded my call, kaya naman ginagawa ko ang lahat sa training para makamit nating muli ang tagumpay para sa ating bayan." the eight-division champion and three-time "Fighter of the Year" honoree said.
"From the time we pitched camp in General Santos until the time we moved here in Los Angeles, we've been studying all the moves Mayweather is capable of dishing out as well as the counter moves I will be making and I believe we are succeeding,' Pacquiao added.
"Kahapon (Saturday), ang ganda ng sparring namin,' he said. "Yung sparring mate ko na bumubugbog sa akin noong simula namin sa Wild Cdadrd, siya naman ang binugbog ko at tuwang-tuwa si Freddie (chief trainer Freddie Roach) sa nakita niya."
The "Fighter of the Decade was referring to his dance mate whose name he and members of the coaching staff cannot remember. Pabago-bago kasi ang sparring partner ko. May tinatanggal si Freddie at may dumarating na bago halos araw-araw. Kaya hindi na namin matandaan ang mga pangalan. All are young and good fighters who approximate Mayweather's style."
Roach, conditioning coach Justin Fortune and assistant trainers Buboy Fernandez, Roger "Haplas" Fernandez, Nonoy Neri and Marvin Somodio concurred.
"Yesterday's was our best sparring session, a very good day," Roach said excitedly. "We just hope we can continue with that kind of sparing session," Roach said. "If we do, then I will agree with Manny not to think of losing."
"Napakaganda na ang ikinikilos ni Manny ngayon," attested Haplas Fernandez when asked after attending the mass at the Christ The King Church in Hollywood. Bugbog sarado yung dalawang sparring partner. Tingin nga namin hindi magpapatalo."
Roach said unless his student ask more additional frequency in sparring, the load of 10 rounds will remain this coming week. Sparring sessions, as in the past, will be held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Roadwork on those days as well as on Mondays and Fridays will be at the Pan Pacific Park.
The agility-improving sessions at the University of California-Los Angeles track and field stadium will only be held once a week on Wednesdays.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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