HOLLYWOOD ? Manny Pacquiao, a certified workaholic, wanted to a little more of everything and had to be restrained Thursday at the Wild Card Gym.
Trainer Freddie Roach thinks Pacquiao is ready to fight, and there?s no reason to push him hard with just nine days left to the fight.
?You?re ready. You know that,? Roach, seated just by the edge of the ring, told Pacquiao.
It looked like Pacquiao didn?t want to stop shadow-boxing.
?I know. I love to work hard,? Pacquiao replied.
The past few days here, Pacquiao had always begged for more, whether he?s out on the road or in the gym working out. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Last Saturday, he was supposed to spar only eight rounds but ended up doing nine. Then on Tuesday, Roach wanted him to spar six rounds but did seven.
At the Griffith Park last Monday, his handlers wanted Pacquiao to cut short his training because it was drizzling. But he insisted on doing his abdominal exercise in front of his fans.
?Rain or shine tayo,? he said as team members tried to shield him from the drizzle with beach towels held over him while he did crunches.
Also last Wednesday, Pacquiao begged for more time with his abdominal exercises because he said, ?I?m sure he (Timothy Bradley) will attack my body.?
Thursday afternoon he sparred six rounds ? no more, no less.
?I don?t want him to overdo things,? said Roach, who allowed Pacquiao to do a little more on the heavy bags, speed ball, double-end bag, the ropes and shadow-boxing.
?He did 25 rounds (of everything) today,? Roach whispered to a scribe.
As he shadow-boxed, Pacquiao had to pause a couple of times. It seemed something was bothering him on his left stool. His face smirked.
He paused and sat on the corner stool. He took off his shoes and felt his toes.
Apparently, his socks were soaked in sweat, and that he was feeling his toes slide inside his shoes.
This, according to a trainer, could cause blisters. But there was no cause for concern.
In no time, Pacquiao was back shuffling his feet.
