Fearing that the “Mexican spies” would strike again, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao yesterday said he has decided to train behind closed doors for his upcoming bout.
Pacquiao yesterday told reporters at the Manila City Hall that his workouts would be off limits to the public amidst suspicion that Hispanic-looking people armed with videocams took shots of him while in training in the US for his fight with Mexican Erik Morales.
“I know they have spies in my training and they’re taking footage of my moves during workouts. In the past there’s lot of Mexicans with videocams in the gym,” said Pacquioa in Filipino.
He blamed the presence of the spies for his loss against Morales last March. For the upcoming rematch with Morales on Jan. 21 next year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the gym will be closed to outsiders to conceal their strategy, he said.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza admitted that Pacquiao is out to exact revenge against Morales, who beat him in a split decision bout.
“He is taking his training seriously because he wanted Erik Morales to get a dose of his own. He will return to General Santos on Sunday and would leave for the United States to start his training on Oct. 5.”
Pacquiao also donated the red trunks, which he used when he won the match over Mexican boxer Hector Velasquez last Saturday evening. He beat his opponent in the sixth round by a technical knockout and went home with the World Boxing Council (WBC) international featherweight belt.
When asked what he would do with the gift, Atienza said that he would use it during his exercise.
Pacquiao, who admits having superstitious beliefs on winning, said he has no plans of changing his hairstyle. When he lost last March, there were highlights on his brushed-up hair. In January, he’ll keep it simple, he said.
