PACQUIAO NOT BOTHERED BY LGBT AND POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES; CONTINUES CAMP IN EARNEST
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Feb 2016
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Indeed, Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao is one of a kind.
Unmindful of threats to his fighting and political career, the only man to crown himself 10-time champion in eight divisions, continued his earnest preparations for the coming third chapter of his trilogy with American Timothy Bradley two months from now at the MGM Grand in the Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao himself assured everyone he is not bothered by the controversies thrown in his direction, aimed at distracting his build up program, particularly his row with members of the LGBT community and the threat of disqualification from seeking a senate seat in the coming elections.
"I believe I have said my piece on the same-sex-marriage issue and I have nothing more to say," he simply told media men still asking questions on the matter. "Doon sa disqualification case, I already instructed my lawyers to take care of it."
Last Friday, Day 4 of what is planned as a nine-week run up to that April 9 date with Bradley, Pacquiao really looked unperturbed running and cutting the ring in chasing his mitts-defending trainer Freddie Roach for an energy-taxing 12 rounds that more than amazed his Hall of Fame guru no end.
That's besides spending time, too, with plenty of rounds in the double end ball, speed ball, shadow boxing, stressing, skipping rope and floor exercises that made up the two-hour session for the day witnessed by a big crowd cramming inside the MP Wild Card Gym here.
And to think that he also played a full-40-minute game of basketball the night before powering his Team Emmanuel to another triumph in the MP-National Basketball League.
"Well, that's Manny Pacquiao for you. You have to admire his work ethic. You just cannot stop him from doing these things, especially while in training," Roach, himself sweating profusely, exclaimed after the session.
The proud son of Dedham, Massachusettss, who will turn 56 on March 5, added, "you have to be amazed, too, with the way he adjusts his time and energy with all the strength-sapping activities."
Last Wednesday, Roach, known as "Cucaracha" in his fighting days, granted Pacquiao's request though for a total rest from training, He could not say whether he would schedule a workout Saturday.
"It depends. If he asks for another respite, I might, again, grant him that," he retorted to a query from this writer. "If ever, I might do away with the mitts and just let him do the lighter side of gym work."
"We have to prepare him for the crucial part of our preparations, which starts next week when he would start sparring," he cautioned.
For reasons he did not bare, "Master Roach" (that's what the trainer is also called by his students) did not disclose, Lydell Rhodes, his first choice to be the Sarangani Congressman's main sparring mate, won't be coming as earlier announced.
Instead, a pair of dance mates will be coming Sunday or Monday. depending on the completion of their travel documents.
"Definitely, sparring will start next week."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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