NINE DAYS AND COUNTING ? PACQUIAO IS READY TO GO
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Hollywood, CA:- Early this afternoon, I had an opportunity to witness Manny Pacquiao as he tapered down his sparring to 8 rounds with three different spar mates. From all indications, the Pacman is at his peak in training. The speed is clearly evident, the footwork is almost ballet-like in perfection and the power? explosive is the least I can describe it.
?Handang-handa na si Manny? (Manny is all set to go) quipped Buboy Fernandez, the long time friend and confidant of Pacquiao. ?Kahit bukas na ang laban, puede na si brod.? (He is ready even if the fight is tomorrow), he added.
From the looks of it, aside from the official photo and video-graphers of the Manny Pacquiao Promotions, PhilBoxing was the only one allowed to take photos from the ringside. The exemption is a compliment to the modest contribution Philboxing has done to connect Pacquiao to his fans all over the world. Sincere thanks goes to the Team who cleared us to take photos and to Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez as well. Of course not to forget, Winchell Campos, the Los Angeles-based Many Pacquiao Promotion publicist.
Pacquiao looks fresh even after going the full 8 rounds with his spar mates. He could have easily done 12. Indeed, his condition is a tribute to what the new man on the Team (Alex Ariza) has done for Pacquiao. The conditioning regimen maybe totally different from the past, but Pacquiao seemed to have adapted to it very well. Thus, he appears to be ready to go even for whole 12 rounds, and more.
Team Pacquiao is scheduled to break camp after his last sparring day on Saturday, June 21st. The next day (Sunday) will be used to pack the gears and do whatever last minute errands left before driving to Las Vegas on Monday.
Before that however, Pacquiao and Diaz will meet for the final PressCon in Southern California which is going to be held at noon on the world famous Pier at Santa Monica, a few miles southwest of downtown LA. From there Diaz and his team will fly while Pacquiao will drive to Las Vegas.
Pacquiao always like to drive to Vegas from LA even if Arum stands ready to provide him with a jet to fly to the Sin City. Thus, the usual caravan of SUV?s , vans and cars will hit the road with him on the lead car. For sure they will enjoy the long drive to Vegas on the third day of summer 2008.
Pacquiao will be billeted as usual, in his favorite suite at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. So far, each time he stays in that suite, he manages to win his fight. Saturday, June 28th for sure will be no different except that he will now go to bed after the fight as the new WBC World Lightweight Champion.
PS: It was nice to see the three top sports writers representing three of the largest Philippine newspapers already in town. With that, be on the look out for their dispatches from the Wildcard Gym and then from Vegas. Nick, Abac and Roy, welcome back to LA.
Pacquiao's sparring photos with Julio Gamboa (black shorts, white shirt), Carlos Tangaro (red shorts, black shirt) and Steve Quiniones (black short with stripe, white shirt). All photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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