NO ENTRY.
This will be the sign that will be posted in the doorstep of Manny Pacquiao’s training headquarters beginning next month until the final phase of his five-week preparation.
Away from the hustle-and-bustle of Hollywood, trainer Freddie Roach is keen in bringing Pacquiao to Arizona in their buildup for Mexican puncher Hector Velazquez, who the Filipino southpaw faces on Sept. 10 in Los Angeles.
Pacquiao’s aide-de-camp Joseph Ramos told the Bulletin yesterday that Shelly Finkel, lawyer Keith Davidson and Roach are discussing plans to transfer training camp from the Wild Card Boxing Club to Phoenix to get away from the distractions.
“You saw what happened the last time out didn’t you?” said Ramos from Los Angeles, referring to the arrival and departure of kibitzers and bigwigs at Pacquiao’s flat at Sunset+Vine, Wild Card and even at the fighter’s junior suite at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas during fightweek last March.
“From what I know, Freddie is eyeing the gym where Mike (Tyson) used to train. It won’t be open to the public,” added Ramos.
Pacquiao is set to fly to Los Angeles on Aug. 1 via Philippine Airlines and the past few weeks, the boxing icon has been busy shooting for his movie “Lisensyadong Kamao”, shooting pool and attending bigtime derbies.
Pacquiao wrapped up shooting of his movie yesterday and a another shoot for a commercial is scheduled the next few days.
“Oras na magsimula naman ang ensayo ko ay wala na itong patid. Tuloy-tuloy ito. Non-stop,” said Pacquiao, who lost to Mexican Erik Morales via unanimous decision in his last outing.
The Velazquez bout is being advertised as a prelude to the two fighters’ much-anticipated rematch on HBO Pay-Per-View on Dec. 10 in Las Vegas.
The Pacquiao-Velazquez bout will be underneath the main event that will feature Morales against Zahir Raheem of the US. Both fights at the Staples Center are scheduled for 12 rounds although no title will be at stake in both contests.
Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. has tentatively scheduled a press conference on Aug. 4 in Los Angeles to formally announce the fights.
Pacquiao said he will earn $700,000 in his first fight since the Morales setback.
