LOS ANGELES-After finally taking full control of his career and destiny over the weekend, Manny Pacquiao said he felt a lot happier and contented in his preparation heading towards his mega-fight with Erik Morales on March 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao got a rousing applause from fans who packed the Wild Card gym Saturday as he sparred for eight rounds with three separate boxers, completing 36 rounds of sparring since he started training last month.
“I feel good and I am happier now,” said Pacquiao, after bringing in a new management team five days ago. “I am now more confident and secure that everything is in order and that my only concern now is to fight, fight and win.”
Pacquiao signed in manager Shelly Finkel and lawyers Keith Davidson and Nicholas Khan to take care of the business, legal and management side of his career last Tuesday, a move he described as “the best decision of my boxing career.”
“I have full trust in my new management team because I know they have the experience and expertise to make things work,” said Pacquiao.
Tucked safe and warm in the loving arms of his wife Jinkee and eldest son Emmanuel Jr. who is celebrating his fourth birthday today, Pacquiao said he is eating a healthier diet and is right on track with his training regimen, exactly six weeks left before fight night.
Pacquiao transferred to a swanky and gated two-bedroom apartment right in the heart of Hollywood, which now allows him to relax more and cook healthy Filipino dishes.
Finishing with sustained power, accuracy and speed against the bigger and taller welterweight sparring partner Javier Garcia, Pacquiao gave a sizeable crowd something to cheer about when landed new punch combinations and moves.
Previously, he sparred with super-feather Ray Beltran and tough Ugandan Justin Juuko for three rounds each, every round ending with applause from the appreciative crowd.
Before and after his workouts, he signed autographs and posed for photos with fellow Filipino kababayans, a handful of Latinos and several Caucasian fight fans.
“Timing na lang ang kailangan. Saka pinapractice namin ni coach iyong counter-punching niya,” said boyhood friend and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, still fuming mad after he reportedly was demoted to the role of “helper” as rumored by a Manila-based writer.
“Whatever happens, itatayo namin ang bandera ng Filipinas at gagawin namin ang lahat para mabigyan ng dagdag na karangalan ang bansa. Sana ipagpatuloy ng buong sambayanan ang kanilang pananalangin na sana manalo si Manny sa labang ito,” added Fernandez.
