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Philippines, 15 Oct 2025 |
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Setting It Straight PhilBoxing.com Exclusive Interview with Justin Fortune By Victor Perea PhilBoxing.com Sat, 20 Aug 2005 The members of Team Pacquiao are no strangers to controversy and hearsay. Throughout this past year they have dealt with everything from rumors of throwing the fight versus Erik Morales to the real life fiasco of Murad Muhammad’s suspected extortion from Pacquiao. With the many problems that plagued Team Pacquiao this year, PhilBoxing.com sat down with Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, Justin Fortune to set some things straight. We learned a few things that shed some light on some of the uncertainty surrounding the Philippine’s idol camp. 
Conditioning coach Justin Fortune hitting the stick on Manny's body as part of Manny Pacquiao's conditioning routine. Photo by Gil Ortiz. A major controversy after Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Morales was that Manny had been over trained and burned out during physical training in preparation for the bout. “Manny’s conditioning is what kept him on his feet that night,” said Fortune. “With all the distractions, Murad, politicians being introduced night and day --- if it wasn’t for his conditioning Manny wouldn’t have stayed on his feet.” When asked if he could go back and do anything different Fortune simply said he would have gotten rid of all the hanger’s on and crowds at the gym. “Before the Barrera fight it was quiet, just Gerry (Balagbagan), Buboy, Freddie and me, no distractions --- Manny could concentrate.” Lucky for us Team Pacquiao has restored order at WildCard during preparation for his upcoming fight versus Hector Velazquez on September 10th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Aside from the hordes of fans outside WildCard Gym where Manny trains, Team Pacquiao has been concentrating on getting rid of some of the leaches that trainer Freddie Roach spoke of leading up to the Morales fight. A thorn in the side of Team Pacquiao has been the constant presence of one, Greg Asuncion. “He just showed up one day a couple months before the Morales fight and attached himself to Manny and Bobby --- he’s trouble,” Fortune added. Asuncion, who many people mistook for Buboy Fernandez in the melee that was Manny’s corner during the Morales fight, not only managed to cause problems at the fight, but the unpleasant character was also thrown out of Bobby Pacquiao’s corner during his American TV debut versus Carlos Navarro on June 17th. Since then Freddie and Justin have made sure Mr. Asuncion does not distract Team Pacquiao any longer. “We told him keep the hell away from Manny, you’re not welcome in this gym,” said Fortune, a point well taken by Asuncion since he is yet to be spotted again at WildCard. With every precaution being taken to avoid any distractions to Manny Pacquiao, one can only hope that in the remaining three weeks before fight night, Manny will make a spectacular comeback on September 10th into the spotlight he is best known for, the ring. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Victor Perea.  |
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