SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Other boxers have to be goaded to train hard. Manny Pacquiao has to be persuaded to slow down.
Egged on by about 200 fans that packed the Jessie James Lejia gym on his first day of training here, the Filipino WBC International super featherweight champion again pushed himself to the limit Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
Instead of circling the Radisson Hotel block 15 times in his morning run, he did 20, even if the temperature hit a chilly 7 degrees Celsius.
Instead of working out for two and a half hours, he went three. Instead of signing autographs for 15 minutes, he did it in 25.
This penchant for over-training and playing to the crowd is getting on the nerves of his Australian trainer, Justine Fortune.
The former heavyweight fighter is worried Pacquiao might hit peak form — if he hasn’t already — too early.
He has asked Pacquiao to ease up a bit as there are still five days to go before he battles unbeaten Mexican Jorge Solis at the Alamodome.
“Take that to the ring, take that to the ring,” said Fortune, referring to the extra punches Pacquiao slammed at the mitts, speed ball and punching bags Monday afternoon.
Pacquiao eventually heeded Fortune’s call, but again obliged autograph seekers, who patiently waited for his arrival.
They followed Pacquiao to the gym, where he displayed a finely chiseled body.
