SHARP AND FOCUSED PACQUIAO REMINDS FANS TO PRAY
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 06 May 2012
Looking forward to making the country proud anew, Filipino ring hero Manny Pacquiao flew to Los Angeles Saturday night where he will resume preparations for his World Boxing Organization welterweight title defense against undefeated American challenger Timothy Bradley.
Like in his previous fights since invading the international boxing arena in 2001, the 33-year-old Pacquiao assured his countrymen that he will do his best to bring more honors for the country and the Filipino with victory, his 16th straight after his last loss seven years ago.
A seven-round skirmish against Russian sparring partners Ruslan Provodnikov (4 rounds) and Rustam Nugaev (3 rounds) ended the eight ?division kingpin?s Philippine leg training held at his MP Towers Gym in Sampaloc, Manila.
?Paki sabi sa mga kababayan natin na aalis ako na umaasa na muli ay gagawin ko ang lahat ng magagawa ko para bigyan na naman sila at ang bansang Pilipinas ng karangalan tulad noong nauna kong mga laban,? Pacquiao told this writer following his last sparring session earlier that day.
(Please tell our countrymen that I am leaving the country hopeful to do my best to give them and our country honors like ?Like before, what I?m asking is for them to pray that not only I win but that I will be free from harm as I resume my preparation in L.A. until the day of the fight in Las Vegas,? he added in reference to his confrontation with Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas. )
?Sana ay ipagdasal din nila na walang injury na mangyari kay Bradley at sa lahat ng boksingerong lalaban sa undercard ng paghaharap namin (I also ask our countrymen to pray that Bradley be spared from any harm as well as all boxers fighting in the undercard of our fight),? he said.
?On my part, I?ll be praying that all our country men back home and our country be safe at all times that I?m fighting for them,? he said. ?As I?ve been saying, ang labang ito ay para sa inyo (this fight is for you)!?
The four-round toe-to-toe against Provodnikov, whose fighting style approximates that of Bradley impressed chief trainer Freddie Roach no end that he pronounced the defending champion will be ready to fight soon as he had expected.
?That was the best sparring session we had since we started with the facet of the program two weeks ago in Baguio,? Roach exclaimed after the training session.
?Manny?s nearing his fighting form and that would make the next phase of preparations a lot easier as I expected,? Roach said.
Pacquiao himself could not hide his satisfaction with the way his camp is going, saying it is way on track.
?Tama lang. Sukat na sukat ang schedule (Just right. Training schedule is going well),? he said. ?We?ll reach our target on time. I feel very good right now.?
So impressive was the Pacman?s performance, he was given a standing ovation by the standing room only crowd that fill the MP Towers gym that included long-time supporter, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and boxing promoter Wakee Salud and election lawyer Romy Macalintal, among others.
A farewell party was held later in the day at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Pacquiao?s official residence while in Manila.
Pacquiao photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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