ROACH SHOCKED BY GYM TURNOUT TODAY!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Aug 2007
CEBU CITY--Respected trainer Freddie Roach, apparently flabbergasted at the turnout of spectators who came to the gym to watch Manny Pacquiao today, did not hide his frustration and was visibly not in jovial mood as Pacquiao continued his sparring at the Rex 'Wakee' Salud gym here.
Droves of fans came all the way from as far as Dumanjug and other Cebu towns, and there have been questions raised as to why they were allowed inside the heavily-guarded gym while Pacquiao was training.
"Who are these mysterious people showing up at the gym. They suddenly came out of the woodwork. And the guards can't seem to stop them!" asked one gym rat who witnessed yesterday's activities at the gym.
Others were previous days' visitors, this time brandishing their photos taken with Pacquiao, wanting another chance at the boxing hero to sign autographs on their developed photos.
Gym owner Rex 'Wakee' Salud, who was present at the gym today, said he will immediately impose a "No Pass, No Entry" policy, but Roach remained unimpressed.
"I will believe it when I see it," said Roach.
Roach had maintained that although they appreciate the love and support of the fans, they have no other option but to limit the number of gym spectators as Pacquiao trains for the biggest fight of his life.
Roach is also implementing a no-video camera policy especially on days when Pacquiao holds his sparring sessions.
There had been initial problems regarding fan attendance in the beginning of Pacquiao's training at the gym, although attendance had been curbed during the last few days.
Problems arose once again today, when out-of-town visitors and other people were allowed entry into the gym.
Pacquiao, who saw action in his second basketball game against sportswriters last Sunday, sparred a total of six rounds today against Mexicans David Rodela and Raymundo Beltran.
The Filipino boxing hero is slated to continue his gym work tomorrow, a non-sparring day. He will hold his morning run at the world-class Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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