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PACQUIAO FULL STEAM AHEAD TOWARDS MARCH SHOWDOWN By Brad Cooney PhilBoxing.com Sat, 02 Feb 2008 LOS ANGELES -- I would have to say that the highlight of my trip to Los Angeles was when team Pacquiao (Winchell) approached me and invited me to eat dinner with Manny, and Bobby Pacquiao. While we waited for our food, Manny grabbed a guitar and started to play, and sing. Bobby Pacquiao showed he has a talent for the six string as well, he played and sang just the same. I asked Manny how long he has been playing guitar, "about 4 years", he replied, then I asked him if he was taught by someone, or if he taught himself how to play guitar, "I taught myself how to play, I practice." While we waited for our food, Manny and Bobby were both staring at the television, both were enjoying a live performance by the legendary band, The Eagles. Manny was singing word for word to the song, Hotel Calfornia. After several courses of food, it was time to head back to my hotel. It was a dinner that this writer will never forget. In the gym, the fun and games were over. When I looked at Manny working the mitts with famed fight trainer, Freddie Roach, I was shocked at how hard a 130lb man can hit. The punches sounded like explosions. Manny's speed is mind-blowing, mixed with a relentless work ethic, it's hard to believe that Manny wouldn't be a machine come fight time. Training camp seems to be off to a great start for the featherweight kingpin, so when asked how camp has gone so far, Manny replied, "So far so good, it's heavy training right now. I don't want to be overconfident when I fight Marquez, I will be ready." I sat down with Manny for a few minutes after his workout on Tuesday and asked him what he thought was the biggest difference in his game, as opposed to the first time he fought Marquez, "Freddie has been working on my right hand, I have two strong hands to work with, and I will use them both in the fight." Manny went on to say, "I have more experience now than I did the last time we fought." What will Juan Manuel Marquez be bringing to the table in March? It has been a quiet training camp for Marquez, which also could mean trouble for Pacquiao. Marquez fully knows how important this fight is for not only himself, but for the Mexican fans. When I asked Pacquiao where in history he thought he would land if he beats Marquez, he was his usual humble self, "I am just doing my job, I want to entertain the people, and make my fans happy." We had a little fun with Manny's nickname, PACMAN. When asked where the nickname came from, and what it meant, Pacquiao responded, "Well my first name is Manny, so take the first part of my name, MAN, and my last names is Pacquiao, and the first part of my last name is PAC, so just reverse them and you have PACMAN." Pacquiao had a few closing thoughts for his fans, "I want to thank all of my fans for their support and prayers. Please continue to support and pray for me for my March fight against Juan Manuel Marquez." Click here to view a list of other articles written by Brad Cooney. |
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