DESPITE the throngs of people wanting to see Manny Pacquiao train that sometimes disrupt his training, Freddie Roach rated this Baguio training camp their best so far in a span of three years.
After a fruitful three weeks of training here in the Summer Capital, team Pacquiao formally closed their training camp after an early morning work-out at the Teacher?s Camp before motoring back to Metro Manila.
?I?m looking forward to lesser distractions because we need to focus,? said American trainer Freddie Roach as he builds up Pacquiao for his May 7 title defense against Sugar Shane Mosley for the WBO welterweight title.
Pacquiao and the rest of his team started training in Baguio in 2009 for the Miguel Cotto bout then returned last November as he beefed up against Antonio Margarito.
Although the camp started on a high note, Roach said some little distractions, like some prominent people seeing how Pacquiao train, would be lessened once they touch down Los Angeles.
?Training camp in Los Angeles will be totally different from the one we?re having here,? added Roach, who also ordered ?no basketball game for the last four weeks before the fight.?
But the multi-awarded trainer of the year lauded the start of their training camp as Pacquiao is slowly getting into form and the way they want the eight weight division champ peak at the right moment.
?He?s way ahead of schedule, although his timing and distance is not yet there but it?s natural knowing Manny has been off to boxing for six months,? said Roach.
Roach also emphasized Mosley will be one of Pacquiao?s biggest test in his boxing career.
?Tough fight, Mosley is a good boxer and very dangerous, good power. No game plan yet but everybody will be seeing a lot of surprise on May 7,? said the 51 year old boxer turned trainer.
Roach added two more sparring partners will be waiting for Pacquiao in L.A. in addition to Shawn Porter and David Rodela.
Welterweights Karim Mayfield and old reliable Rashad Halloway will be joining the sparring session for the next five weeks where training will focus mostly on strategy of the fighter cum lawmaker who is eyeing his 13th straight victory. Pacman?s only loss the past decade was in 2005.
Prior to their departure, Team Pacquiao was given a farewell party by a native priest in a simple Cordilleran practice where they butchered a native black pig and a native chicken offered to tribal god?s to protect Manny during his voyage and during his title fight.
Also in hand to give a Cordillera prayer was Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan. (Roderick Osis)
Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on April 02, 2011.
