Manny Pacquiao visited Monday a site where a gym once stood in a narrow alley near the Sampaloc and Quiapo area of Manila to check on the progress of a multi-storey building that he is putting up.
“Even when my kids are already grown up, this would still be here,” said Pacquiao as he was about to walk down the rickety stairs to meet up with the fellow who was in charge of the construction of the building that once was the exact spot of the fabled L&M Gym.
As he inspected the building where steel railings protrude out of cement blocks, Pacquiao pointed to a corner where he said he intends to hold office someday.
“Here. I would like my room to be located here,” said Pacquiao.
The building will not be completed until probably towards the last few months of 2009 but Pacquiao was visibly excited that the same spot where he honed his boxing skills would still play a role in his future affairs whether it is boxing related or not.
The L&M (Lainez and Mondejar) Gym was bought by Pacquiao a couple of years ago from Mondejar and it was there that Pacquiao spent his early days training as a puny prizefighter under the guidance of Rod Nazario.
Built in the 1960s, the sweat shop was home to countless world champions ?
Pedro Adigue, Tacy Macalos, Morris East, Rolando Pascua ? and was for a time hosted the training of Luisito Espinosa and Gerry Penalosa.
The L&M Gym was originally named Technocraft School and later on became the head office of the Professional Boxing Association of the Philippines. It was renamed L&M Gym in 1978, according to Lainez.
Meanwhile, negotiations for a May 2 fight between Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton have stalled temporarily owing to the holiday season.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum is vacationing with his family in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, while Pacquiao plans to spend the remaining days of the year with his pregnant wife Jinkee, who is expected to give birth anytime, and kids.
Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz said Pacquiao is tentatively set to travel back to Manila on Jan. 12.
