PACQUIAO BEGINS TRAINING, WAITS FOR ROACH
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 14 Aug 2007
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao squelched rumors that he had personal problems and a tiff with celebrated trainer Freddie Roach which was the reason for his sudden decision to return home in a hurry after the press conference formally announcing his rematch with legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera on October 6 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao looked trim and sharp as he went eight rounds on the punch mitts with boyhood friend and trainer Buboy Fernandez and also a couple of rounds on the heavy bag.
A huge crowd gathered outside the Wild Card Gym in BF Homes, Paranaque to watch their idol train and many were impressed with the shape he was in.
Pacquiao told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had spoken to Roach who would arrive in Manila within the next couple of days to step up his training before leaving for Los Angeles in the last week of August. Roach earlier told us he would fly to the Philippines "if Manny asks me to" even as he said reports of a quarrel with Pacquiao were "a lie."
Close friend and confidant Rex ?Wakee? Salud said that Pacquiao would leave for Cebu to begin training at Salud?s new gym in Cebu but the ring warrior said he wanted to be able to train without distractions and would likely move around different training sites including Baguio City.
Pacquiao said he was ?training very hard even though I am training in the Philippines where its more tiring because its hot compared to the US and it really makes you sweat.? He said ?I will return to the US six weeks before the fight to get acclimatized which is something I need to do.?
Referring to the newspaper stories about his private life and other sidelights, Pacquiao said his return had nothing to do with that. Pacquiao said he had informed his group that after the Barrera press conference he was ?returning home." He said "we have a strategy as to why I am training here because the Wild Card is often crowded with many people and fans of Barrera may spy on my style and people from the camp of Barrera may be there under disguise and study our fight plans.?
Pacquiao insisted there was no need for his supporters to worry because he wont ?neglect myself and spoil my name as a ring warrior and people?s champion.?
He appealed to journalists to write ?the truth and I have no problem with that? even as he confessed he was hurt and upset over stories which he claimed were ?not true? including claims that he had a fight with Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao was visibly annoyed over media reports and rumors linking him with sexy actress Ara Mina saying he ?felt sad because Ara Mina has been dragged into this. I feel ashamed and I have not even spoken to her. It's not right. We are only making a movie together but to think otherwise is unfair to the lady.? He said he had stopped filming because he wanted to ?concentrate on training. I will do whatever needs to be done to win for the sake of our country.?
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