Manny Pacquiao is ready to turn a new chapter in his boxing career as he enters the homestretch of his timetable of a “monk’s life” for his historic fight against Mexico’s Oscar Larios on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
“I feel I am a champion reborn,” said the 27-year-old sports hero to a Filipino newsman 15 days before he puts on the block his WBC superfeatherweight title, which together with an earlier IBF super flyweight and IBF super bantam crowns, has made him the most bankable international boxer today.
“There are no social parties, no shooting of commercials, no hard drinks.
Early to bed, early to rise,” Pacquiao said.
“After a breakfast of milk and bread, a short nap is followed by lunch, then out at the Wildcard for training,” Pacman described his life while on training with Freddie Roach.
He refused to make a prediction on the outcome of his fight with Larios, except to say “it is going to be a good fight.”
“I feel very different now,” said the ‘People’s Champ. “We’ve done the mountains. I can see a fantastic fight.”
Pacquiao and his party will be homebound on June 18 (LA time), and will arrive in the Philippines June 20 (RP time), via Philippine Airlines flight no. PR113 in the company of American managers Shelly Finkel and Nick Kahn and Roach.
Larios, on the other hand, comes from Tokyo on June 25 and arrives hours later in Manila on the same day.
For the first time since their last appearances together in Manila last May 26, the two warriors meet anew on June 26 for separate official public workouts at the Araneta Coliseum at ll a.m.
They meet the press on June 29 for the final presscon slated 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the official hotel of Discovery Suites, Ortigas Center. Weigh-in is on July 1 at the Diamond Hotel, Roxas Boulevard before they meet officials of the Games & Amusements Board, which will set the rules for the showdown.
