Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao arrived in Cebu yesterday, predicting a victory over Hector Velasquez of Mexico when they slug it out in the blockbuster card that also features Mexican star Erik Morales on Sept. 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
“Handang handa na ako sa laban na ito. Kumpiyansa ako na talunin siya. Pero di dapat mataas ang kumpiyansa ko, mag-eensayo pa rin ako ng matindi dahil magaling at ensayado yung kalaban ko,” said Pacquiao moments after his arrival at the Mactan International Airport.
Pacquiao, who was accompanied by his American lawyer Keith Davidson and Joe Ramos, was met at the airport by Cebu topnotch promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud and Cebu City Councilor George Rama.
After checking in at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel, Pacquiao dropped by the offices of The Freeman and another local daily before heading to Salud’s RWS Gym where the General Santos City slugger held a 30-minute workout.
Pacquiao’s training session turned out to be a fans day of sort as close to 400 spectators packed Salud’s newly-refurbished gym situated at Guadalupe Village in Bgy. Punta Princesa.
When asked why he decided to re-schedule his US trip at the last minute just to pass by Cebu, Pacquiao quickly replied in jest “malakas kasi si Wakee Salud sa akin (Wakee Salud has strong influence on me).”
He also said he wanted to train in Salud’s gym before leaving for the United States because it brings him luck. Pabwenas ba,” said Pacquiao.
There were concerns that Pacquiao might not have enough time to toughen up since he had been busy doing TV commercials, joining cockfights, playing billiards and shooting movies.
But Pacquiao said he has four weeks to train for the Velasquez fight, assuring his Cebu fans that he takes care of everything as far as his preparations are concerned. He said he would go into serious training with trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.
“Freddie Roach is very excited to see Pacquiao again,” said Davidson, who is part of Pacquiao’s new management team.
But Davidson, one of the Filipino fighter’s lawyers in his lawsuit against promoter Murad Muhammad, cautioned Pacquiao not to take Velasquez lightly.
“Velasquez is a very tough opponent. He has a lot of experience. He’s getting better and better in his last seven fights,” said Davidson. — The Freeman News Service
