TOM OSMENA UPSET HE CAN'T WATCH PACQUIAO-DE LA HOYA
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 29 Nov 2008
LOS ANGELES--Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena is upset over the fact that he won't be able to be at ringside when his friend, superstar Manny Pacquiao, takes on the biggest battle of his life against the legendary Oscar De la Hoya.
Osmena is himself immersed in his own battle to defeat urinary bladder cancer, and was reportedly disappointed when he learned that his doctors in Boston won't allow him to go to Las Vegas for the fight.
"His scheduled follow up check up and treatment is on the day of the fight," informed Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem, who also indicated that as the fight nears, the general consensus in Cebu is more of fear rather than excitement.
"I guess that's how much the Filipinos love Pacman," Jakosalem qualified. "It's not that people here are losing faith in Pacman, but more like our love for him brings about a higher level of concern than the usual previous fights simply because of the factual physical advantages of Oscar."
Prayer, according to Jakosalem, will be needed the most for this fight, hoping that Pacquiao "puts his faith fully to God when he enters the ring."
Meanwhile, while everyone was celebrating Thanksgiving Day with their loved ones yesterday, superstar Manny Pacquiao continued doing what needed to be done at the Wild Card Gym, as he sparred eight rounds with two tough sparmates handpicked by trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao swapped mitts with chief sparmate Rashad Holloway for four rounds, followed by another four rounds against the unbeaten Marvin Cordova.
Pacquiao then followed it up with the usual gym routine he normally does at training.
The Filipino lefty will be back in the gym today, and is expected to spar six rounds on Saturday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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