LOS ANGELES — Other than Manny Pacquiao, two other Filipinos are working out at the famed sweat shop of Freddie Roach in Hollywood.
Reporting for duty on Monday were bantamweight prospect Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and world-rated flyweight Diosdado Gabi. They were accompanied to the Wild Card by trainer Ala Villamor.
Bautista, 19, and Gabi, sparred furiously with another fighter of Filipino lineage, Hawaii-raised Brian Viloria. Viloria is slated to see action underneath the Sept. 10 Pacquiao-Hector Velazquez bout at the Staples Center.
Bautista is hoping also to become a part of the undercard, according to his agent Mike Koncz.
“Nothing’s final yet on the choice of his opponent but we will know very soon,” added Koncz.
Bautista, Gabi and Villamor arrived here last week from Cebu. Their trip had the blessing of Cebu boxing impresario Tony Aldeguer.
Bautista and Gabi start training at 10 a.m. so that when Pacquiao arrives at noon for a 1 p.m. call time, they would all be out of the gym and Roach and Pacquiao would be able to internalize the coaching.
