ANOTHER WEEK GONE, PACQUIAO CONTINUES TO IMPROVE
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Oct 2008
Los Angeles, CA:- Hey it?s Wednesday and that means we are off to the Wildcard Gym to check out on the happenings at the famed gym of training guru, Freddie Roach.
Nothing significant has happened in so far as extra curricular incidents are concerned and if there were any, we will surely pass them over to you.
The gym is quiet in it own way, and the Pacman continues to significantly improve week to week. And, would you believe that myself and Miguel, the MPP photographer included, there were only 14 people present inside the gym while Pacquiao was training? All the rest were from the Team and there was no one there that is not connected in one way or another to the training camp. Wow!
No kibitzer has been kicked out of the gym in the past week and we are happy to report that all that brouhaha posted at Pacland the last few days that includes asking the Team or the Wildcard management to bar us from the gym for ?reporting? on the training camp activities was conveniently ignored.
That tells us one thing. The Team and the Wildcard management are pretty intelligent people. They know how to deal with issues and they are not bothered by nitwits that lurks the internet and post outrageous stuff. But most importantly, they trust our judgments in so far as what stories and photos to post on the internet. We were never censored!
Now back to basics.
The report that Oscar de la Hoya will be adding ?tuk tuk driver,? (according to Mike Marley) Edwin Valero to his team of spar mates hardly got a second look by the Team and others in the know.
When asked about the news that Valero will be helping Oscar de la Hoya in his training, Freddie Roach responded: - ? Who cares about that news. We had been hearing that for weeks. At any rate, it?s not going change anything for us. We will train according to our game plan.?
Top photo: The new Wildcard Gym sign.
Pacquiao works out with Roach Wednesday at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
Alex Arisa on the other hand said:- ?No matter who they hire to spar with Oscar, in the end Oscar will still be Oscar. He is not about to change and he will do what he wants to do. We have seen that before and we have reasons to believe that he will do it again. You can?t teach an old dog, new tricks?.
Buboy Fernandez, the amiable best friend of Pacquiao when told about Valero said to us:- ?Sino? Ha yun..ano naman ang maitutulong nun?? ( Who?.. oh him? what can he do to help?) I guess that said it all.
Now for the the lighter side of things.
In response to the unfortunate incident that happened a week ago, someone in jest made a new sign for the gym door featuring Rob Peters, the head security at the Wildcard. But, it was decided that it may be too strong for people, particularly those that lack a good sense of humor, so it was not installed.
For whatever, it?s worth, here is the photo. Remember, this is a joke and please take it for what its worth and don?t post any nasty comments.
We saw Gerry Penalosa today at the gym. He just arrived last night and was still jet lagged. But, Gerry is looking good given the fact that he is not even in serious training.
Its nice to know from Gerry that his gorgeous wife Goody is doing well back home in Manila.
Gerry informed us that he may not be fight this year as there are no fights arranged for him but he is looking forward to a busy year next year.
Jinky Pacquiao is now in town. She arrived last Monday and is staying at the same complex where Pacquiao?s condo is located. Being pregnant, she has her own separate unit as she needs peace and quiet.
There is no doubt however, that her presence inspires Pacquiao to work harder than ever.
Such I guess, is what a loving wife can do for a hard working husband.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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