LAS VEGAS ? Jinkee Pacquiao has never been more nervous for a fight involving her husband Manny than his World Boxing Council (WBC) International superfeatherweight title defense against Marco Antonio Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Events Center here this morning (Manila time).
Moments after the Filipino icon made the 130-pound limit on his first try at the weigh-in Friday afternoon, Jinkee and identical twin sister Janet were all smiles. They were relieved that Pacquiao hit the nail on the head when only the night before, he was about four pounds overweight.
The morning of the weigh-in, Pacquiao ate and drank absolutely nothing. He gargled water ? for hydration ? but that was it. To shed off the excess poundage, he skipped rope and wrapped himself in a thick blanket from head to foot in his hotel suite. Some lemon was on hand for him to suck out the sour juice as a way to bring out saliva and drain liquid ? just in case ? but it wasn?t necessary.
An hour before the 2:30 p.m. weigh-in, Pacquiao was a half-pound over the limit. And it was smooth sailing when he finally stepped on the scales.
?Of all of Manny?s fights, this is the one where I am really most nervous about,? said Jinkee. ?Manny had difficulty making the weight and told me this will be his last fight at 130 pounds. He?s going up to lightweight in his next fight. But Manny won?t let his countrymen down.?
Jinkee said her gut feeling is Pacquiao will stop Barrera in the eighth round. ?I hope it ends sooner,? she added. ?It won?t be an easy fight because Barrera is a proud champion. Manny knows what to do and what?s at stake. He?ll win for our country.?
Once again, Jinkee expressed her thanks to the millions of Filipinos all over the world for supporting her husband. She said Pacquiao wouldn?t be where he is today if not for the backing of the Filipino people, regardless of class, religion or politics.
Jinkee said food was especially prepared for Pacquiao to eat right after the weigh-in, behind the stage where the rites were held in the presence of co-promoters Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya and WBC supervisor Eric Buhain, the Games and Amusements Board chairman.
Meanwhile, former Los Angeles Laker and now popular radio sports broadcaster Mychal Thompson said Pacquiao?s difficulty in making the weight won?t be a factor against Barrera.
?I noticed Manny looked a little gaunt at the weigh-in while Barrera looked pretty filled up,? said Thompson who is here to cover the fight for a Los Angeles radio station. ?But I know athletes. Manny will fill up in time for the fight and he should be fine. It won?t be a problem. I think Barrera is in for a beating.?
Thompson said there?s no way Barrera can match Pacquiao?s speed and power.
?Manny?s just too fast,? said Thompson who hosts a four-hour sports talk program on Los Angeles radio from 12 noon to 4 p.m. five days a week. ?If Barrera tries to hit and run like he did against (Rocky) Juarez, Manny will just pressure him and pin him down. He won?t be able to stay away from Manny.?
Thompson said Pacquiao can?t afford to lose because so much is riding on his victory.
?It?s all about winning and Manny knows it,? said Thompson. ?As long as he wins, he?s popular. And it?s in boxing where he gets his popularity. It?s what makes him do movies, CDs and TV. You can be sure Manny?s motivated to win.?
But Thompson said Barrera is out to ride into the sunset in a blaze of glory.
?This is definitely Barrera?s last fight,? said Thompson who has hosted a radio program the last four years. ?What better way to go out than by beating the best in the world. Sure, he wants to beat Pacquiao. He wants to retire on a high note. That?s his motivation. So Manny can?t take him lightly. Barrera?s a proud warrior.?
Thompson said his brother Andy often reminisces about his brief playing career as an import for the Tanduay club in the PBA in 1986.
?Andy remembers the Philippines fondly and of course, knows how Filipinos love the game,? said Thompson.
