PACQUIAO DETERMINED TO BOUNCE BACK FROM HIS SETBACKS
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 09 Apr 2014
LAS VEGAS, Nevada - "Sad and at the same time happy."
This was how World Boxing Organization welterweight challenger Manny Pacquiao described his feelings going to Las Vegas where he is to fight Timothy Bradley for the unbeaten American's 147-pound belt.
"Sad because it is that venue where I met back-to-back defeats for the first time in my boxing career, lost my welterweight title, and broke a 15-fight winning streak," Pacquiao said in interview last week, days before his team would motor to Nevada's city of sin.
"I am also happy because despite the setbacks, I am again given the opportunity to make up for that and move on," he said. "Tingin ko naman, after two years, I have already bounced back from that debacle in order continue pursuing the thing I love doing most."
Monday night, the fighting Sarangani Congressman was back in Las Vegas determined and motivated to win back the championship robbed of him via a highly controversial split decision favoring the now titleholder Bradley.
"This is the beauty engaging in a profession in sports, maging boksing o ano pa man," the three-time 'fighter of the year' told this writer. "Sa sports, you can learn to rise from one adversity to another. Kahit ano pang mangyaring di kanais-nais sa buhay mo, makababalik at makababalik ka. Kasama kasi sa disiplina sa sports yan."
"Like what I told you, nalulungkot ako at nagagalak namakatuntong na muli sa lupa ng Las Vegas kung saan ay marami akong kasiyahang nalasap at malaking kalungkutang nadama," he said.
Pacquiao and his team, plus the some 200 supporters arrived here following a long, 40-vehicle motorcade that took nearly six hours due to the monumental traffic jam in the freeway dividing the States of California and Nevada.
In the caravan was an oven hot tourist bus whose air-conditioning system broke down with the entire Pacquiao clan, including matriarch Mommy Di (Aleng Dionisia) her estranged husband Rosalio and children Isidra, Bobby and Roel as passengers along with Pacman's congressional staff, guests and media men.
Pacquaio and party's arrival was actually the first of a series of activities the entire week that culminates with the 12-round title bout on Saturday at the MGM Grand Arena.
On Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) he and Bradley will be formally welcomed one after another with the traditional Grand Arrival Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the MGM lobby.
The final press conference will be on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Hollywood Threater. The following day, media men will have the opportunity to meet and both fighters' trainers in a round table interview at 10 a.m. at Studio A&B of the same hotel.
Official weigh-in is on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at fight site at the Grand Arena. Distribution of temporary credentials, meanwhile, starts Wednesday beginning at 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Old VIP Box Office. Fight night credentials will available for distribution on fight day, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Photo: The Pacquiao bus that ferry Pacquiao's staff, friends and media from Los Angeles to Las Vegas Monday night. Photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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