PACQUIAO GETS PEACEFUL GYM!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Aug 2007
CEBU CITY--It was a complete turnaround from last Monday's helter-skelter scenario at the Rex 'Wakee' Salud gym.
Yesterday, not even a single soul who was not part of Team Pacquiao was to be found inside the gym when Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao started his 3PM workout with respected trainer Freddie Roach calling the shots.
Only the janitor was inside, and he too, had a task to do.
There was peace at Pacland yesterday as fans, including relatives of gym owner Rex 'Wakee' Salud, were prevented entry from the gym to allow Pacquiao a much-needed breathing space while training for his October 6 return battle with Marco Antonio Barrera.
"Not one person was here." reported Pacquiao's chief-of-staff Jayke Joson in a call to this writer. "They were all respectful of Freddie," added Joson. "Freddie was surprised and very happy today."
Last Monday, Roach blew his top after Pacquiao's training session when a throng of fans numbering more than a hundred were allowed entry into the gym to watch Pacquiao train and have their photos taken with the boxing hero.
"We held a meeting. Freddie, Wakee, and the team discussed about it. Wakee made sure everything will be ironed out," said Joson.
With the gym now closed to the fans, members of Team Pacquiao has also added a sound system upon the instruction of Pacquiao himself.
"Manny can now work out with his favorite music as background. He is now more upbeat now that his favorite music plays while training," noted Joson, who added that only during punch mitt sessions will the janitor turn off the music.
Meanwhile, a team of HBO crew is scheduled to arrive in Cebu today to start filming Pacquiao's training as part of a 24/7 series prepared by the giant cable network.
The HBO crew is set to start filming tomorrow and Friday, according to Roach.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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