A QUIET DAY AT THE WILDCARD GYM
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 09 Apr 2009
Los Angeles, CA.:- During times when Manny Pacquiao is training at the Wildcard Gym it is not too unusual to see a packed parking lot at the Wildcard Gym.
But today was different.
It could be because it?s Holy Week and most Filipinos, fight fans included, do slow down on whatever they do to observe the solemn holidays.
Or it could be because Manny Pacquiao took a day off today to take care of some business matters related to the fight.
Thus, there were no fight fans hanging out at the famed Hollywood sweat shop.
It could be either or both of the above, but needless to say, it was a quiet day at the Wildcard Gym compared to days when Pacquiao is in the house.
Of course, the usual people that train at the gym were there, including Bobby Pacquiao and Rodel Mayol.But one can easily see a different scenario. It was so not busy that Freddie Roach and Michael Moore even had an opportunity to share some food while chatting at the gym reception desk.
Today, the Pacman and his usual entourage motored to the City of San Pedro to visit the famous fight doctor, Dr Richard S. Gluckman, a neurologist to undergo the routine medical exams required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Word from the Team Pacquiao indicated that as expected, Pacquiao came through the medical exams with flying colors. ? Okay lahat doc? was what Winchell Campos told us when we reached him via his cell phone. ?Walang problema?, he added.
So with that, Pacquiao has taken cared of one of the major pre-fight requirements. Now he can concentrate further on honing his game plan with the help of Widcard Gym guru, Freddie Roach and assisted by Buboy Fernandez, Michael Moorer , Alex Ariza and Nonoy Neri.
Tomorrow, it?s Holy Thursday, but this writer was informed that Pacquiao is scheduled to continue his training. He may even spar to keep on schedule.
Oh, we bumped into Gerry Penalosa at the gym as he was finishing his training. Gerry is looking really good and ready to go.
After his training, we had an opportunity to share lunch with him at the now famous Thai Restaurant adjacent to the gym and had a long talk about his fight with Juan Ma. Lopez on April 25th at Puerto Rico and his future plans. I will do a story about that some other time.
It was so different at the restaurant. Normally, the place was full of Pinoys hanging out hoping to have a glimpse of the Pacman. But today, there were only three of us at the place. It was fine however because it was quiet, and I had a good quality time with Penalosa.
Shortly after lunch, I took him home at his apartment around the Alvarado-Temple Street area.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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