It’s not the lack of training but the lack of rest that has caused some concern within the Manny Pacquiao camp.
“That’s the only thing I’m worried about – his lack of rest,” said Mike Koncz, the Canadian who’s been recently serving as ring adviser to the 28-year-old Pacquiao.
Koncz, a boxing agent, has stayed very close to Pacquiao since November last year, and has embedded himself in the boxer’s Gen. Santos City mansion.
Koncz was around in all the parties and celebrations after Pacquiao’s big win over Erik Morales, the start of the training last Feb. 19, and the days leading to the boxer’s decision to run in the May 14 elections.
“I’m just glad those parties are over. For the last three weeks, his training has been great. While there were odd days he wouldn’t jog, he hasn’t skipped a day at the gym,” said the Canadian.
“When he started training, Pacquiao had some bulge on his belly. But now the six-pack (abdominal muscles) is starting to show. He just works so hard in the gym, and you can’t question that,” he said.
What worries Koncz, as Pacquiao nears his April 14 fight against undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis in Texas is the boxer’s daily grind as a Congressional candidate in the first district of South Cotabato.
Pacquiao is scheduled to leave for Los Angeles this weekend, and is now trying to squeeze his already tight schedule, meeting local officials and people whom he described as his “future constituents.”
There are days when Pacquiao would report for training coming from a meeting, and would leave the gym, which is just 10 minutes away from his mansion, headed for another one.
“Sometimes, there are just too many people here in the house and Manny just can’t turn them away. He has to meet them all when he should be resting upstairs,” said Koncz.
“There’s just too many things on his mind here.”
While Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri conduct the training, Koncz has acted as the floor director, bringing in Pacquiao’s sparring partners, either from Manila or nearby provinces.
Koncz said the sooner Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles, to train at the Wild Card Gym, the better.
