PACQUIAO FEELS THE HUNGER, STARTS TRAINING EARLY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 31 Aug 2011
Pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao says his ?hunger and interest in boxing remain? and that is one of the reasons he started training as early as Monday for his showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 12 which is ten weeks away.
Pacquiao told the Daily Inquirer after a fairly light, enjoyable workout at the Planet Jupiter Gym in Makati on Tuesday evening ?boxing gave me life from the time I was a kid. This was my job and I need to work well and train hard. I am not tired of boxing that?s why I?m training now.?
Pacquiao went five rounds on the punchmitts, worked on the two-ball and the speed ball, skipped rope and did his usual abdominal exercises. He also found time to put on the punch mitts for a couple of rounds with popular ABC 5 radio/TV personality Angelicopter.
Explaining why he started training early for the Marquez trilogy, Pacquiao said ?its better to warm up early. This is the start of my training which I actually started on Monday and will continue.?
Stating that he hadn?t even exercised since his last fight against Shane Mosley last May, Pacquiao said he was not out of shape and that it was the guy who did the punch mitts with him who got tired.
Pacquiao explained that unlike some fighters who bloat in between fights ?I don?t drink much because if you drink beer and eat junk foods? you put on weight.
When asked whether he had begun training early because he wanted to shut the mouth of Marquez who has been claiming that he won his two previous fights with Pacquiao but didn?t get the nod of the judges, Pacquiao let out a hearty laugh and said ?I trained early so I can give him a real fight.?
Pacquiao added, ?its better that we train hard so we?ll have a good fight.?
Told that Marquez was excited to come to the Philippines, Pacquiao let out another hearty laugh when reminded that Marquez may not be excited at the end of the fight but in his customary humble manner stressed ?we will do our best.?
Even though Marquez is 38 years old and gets hit much more than he did before, Pacquiao cautioned ?we shouldn?t be over confident.?
Reacting to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum?s statement that Marquez? style give him problems Pacquiao responded, ?If you don?t know the style of Marquez you?ll have a problem but I fought him twice and I am used to his style, especially his right straight and his uppercut.?
Pacquiao noted that their first fight was at 130 and their rematch at 135 pounds ?but now its different? since the fight is at the catch-weight of 144 pounds. In the past Pacquiao said he had to diet but now he can eat all he wants.
When asked whether he would knock out Marquez, Pacquiao declined to answer but he smiled and said ?people know why I am training hard and why I started training early. It's ten weeks before the fight? even as he confirmed he would train for four weeks in the summer capital of Baguio City and the final four weeks at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
The Inquirer asked Pacquiao about reports that he has been gambling heavily and losing a lot of money. His reply, ?I just play billiards. If there is anybody who writes nasty stories about me let God take care of them. I won?t file charges against them and I am not angry with them. Let them write and write but there?s a God above and whatever heights I reach its because God wishes it, not me. Let Him handle it.?
Confronted about a spate of negative stories over his firing of the VisionQwest accountancy firm which allegedly discovered some financial discrepancies Pacquiao said ?we had a problem and I don?t like what happened. It's difficult to talk about this. But they know the reason why.?
Finally, Pacquiao took the opportunity to greet Miss Universe candidate Shamsey Supsup and said ?although we didn?t get a chance to meet in the Philippines before you left remember we are all here supporting and praying for you. Millions of Filipinos are proud of you and hope you will win the crown and bring it home. Pray always, take care and good luck.?
Photo: Manny Pacqiao (C) poses with broadcasters Dyan Castillejo (L) and Ronnie Nathanielsz at the Jupiter Gym in Makati Tuesday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
A Masterpiece of Boxing: Terence Crawford Dethrones Canelo Alvarez in Historic Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025LEWIS CROCKER IS CROWNED THE NEW IBF WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Battle of Undefeated: Callum Walsh Vanquishes Fernando Vargas Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Undercard Inferno: Mbilli and Martinez Deliver a Super Middleweight War Ending in a Thrilling Draw
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Crawford to defy odds?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Clash of Titans: The Final Predictions for Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Inoue and Akhmadaliev Make Weight for Sunday's Battle, Watch it LIVE on Facebook!
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025IIEE North Cotabato and Metro Central are the Golden Champion on 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Sydney Sy Tancontian is Female Awardee of Sports Hero of the Year
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: Size Matters
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 13 Sep 2025BOOTS TALKS SPARRING WITH CANELO IN ‘DAY IN THE LIFE’
Sat, 13 Sep 2025WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: CANELO - 167.5 LBS., CRAWFORD - 167.5 LBS.
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Sep 2025BELFAST: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 13 Sep 2025Canoy cancels title fight due to child’s death
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Sep 2025