MANNY'S BEST-KEPT SECRET WEAPON: BUBOY FERNANDEZ
By Dr. Allan Recto
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Oct 2008
Buboy Fernandez at the Wildcard Gym.
Los Angeles, CA - Restituto Fernandez, better known as "Buboy," Manny's lifelong friend and Filipino trainer, is considered as the best-kept secret weapon in Pacquiao's corner. Buboy, whose friendship with the PacMan dates back to their childhood days, when they were neighbors and their houses separated by a piece of wood, is still up to now the current right hand of the best fighter in the world, pound for pound. Buboy helps Freddie Roach, Manny's American main coach/ trainer. He's always beside Manny Pacquiao, helping with his technique and giving advice.
When asked what he wanted to say about training camp, he stated, "So far, okay ang training?kung baga?papasok na tayo say heavy training?.although meron pa tayong six weeks?.maintain lang?at saka, road work lagi?maganda?.maganda ang training ngayon!" (Translation ? "So far, Training has been going okay?like you know?we are going into heavy training?although we still have six weeks to go?.just maintaining it?but then, there's road work most of the time?it's going well?training is going well right now!" Buboy has been a great asset to the team, he's always behind Manny Pacquiao and has everything under control, even as he is not seen much in front of cameras, Pacquiao knows his best-kept secret weapon will always there for him.
Fernandez (R) intently watching Pacquiao doing the double-ended bag routine.
TRAINING SESSION WITH FREDDIE ROACH
Two weeks have passed since I saw Manny Pacquiao at the Statue of Liberty in New York, "closer to the stars" at NASA Space Center in Houston and on battle grounds at The Alamo, in San Antonio, Texas.
Now, Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao trains hard at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Hollywood, California, where his coach is getting the best out of the current WBC Lightweight champion of the world. "We had a great day?Manny's sparring is great?we are a little bit ahead of schedule?his weight is 151 pounds?so everything is great?we're going to knock Oscar out!," Freddie Roach replied when I asked him briefly during Pacquiao's sparring session last Saturday, October 18th, when I visited the closely guarded gym.
Manny, who sparred 4 hard-hitting rounds, is getting ready for what he considers his greatest challenge in his career. And boy, he was training tough, as I stood behind the ropes of the ring while he was sparring with Marcus McDaniel, the few that gathered around were able to witness his power, as Manny threw a soild punch that rocked Marcus head. Manny stopped and asked the 154 lbs boxer if he was okay... then when he said "yeah"?continued to spar tougher with him showing his true warrior mentality. McDaniels commented, "Pacquiao is tough for a smaller man?he's got power and speed."
Pacquiao, who now looks bigger and stronger, is preparing himself well - physically, mentally and spiritually. As many of us know, he's a very deeply religious person and he states that up to now, only God knows what the outcome will be on December 6. "So just continue your prayers,' he said. "My hands are guided by the Holy Spirit, and I will do everything possible to give my fans and my country a win over De La Hoya," he added.
"THE DREAM MATCH" - De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao on Dec. 6th ? MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Live on HBO PPV co-promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions.
Hall of Famer Bobby Chacon with Freddie Roach.
The author (C) with trainers Nonoy Neri and Buboy Fernandez.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.
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