Manny Pacquiao was in a somber mood, taping his hands by himself, in the air-conditioned office at the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque the other day. In a few minutes, he would begin his two-hour early afternoon workout with trainer and boyhood buddy Buboy Fernandez. Later that night, he would fly to Cebu and set up camp to prepare for his Oct. 6 appointment with Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas.
But for the moment, Pacquiao spoke about his trials, tribulations, plans and future in an exclusive one-on-one STAR interview.
“Sobra na (it’s too much),” he said, referring to recent media reports that seem to question his character. “All I ask is they write the truth. Why do they keep on spreading lies about me? It’s like I did nothing for our country, for our people. Why are they so heartless?”
Pacquiao ticked off the litany of lies. His quarrel with trainer Freddie Roach. An affair with movie actress Ara Mina. Not keeping a promise to cheer at ringside as honorary captain of the Philippine team at the World Cup in Sacramento last Saturday. Holding up a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight because he couldn’t decide whether to board or not. Slackening off in his training. Not taking Barrera seriously.
“I never quarreled with Freddie,” said Pacquiao in Filipino. “Before I left LA for Manila last week, we talked about a new training program. I wanted to try something different, something to surprise Barrera. Freddie’s gym has gotten to be too crowded. I’m not even sure if Barrera’s people are watching me train. So we agreed I would train in Wakee’s (Salud) new gym in Cebu then we would go to the US three weeks before the fight to acclimatize. Freddie’s arriving Thursday (today). Two Mexican sparmates are coming this Sunday and we begin sparring on Monday.”
As for Ara Mina, Pacquiao said he’s embarrassed that their friendship has been compromised. They’re shooting a movie “Anak Ni Kumander,” now 70 percent finished, to premier on Jan. 1 as a Manila Filmfest entry. Ara Mina has denied they are dating.
“Never na ipagpapalit ko si Jinkee,” said Pacquiao, affirming his love for his wife. “I love my family too much. I’ve worked so hard to give my family a good life, to build a future for Jinkee and our three kids and nobody’s going to destroy that. The rumors are hurting my family.”
Pacquiao said he never committed to go to Sacramento.
“I told them I would try but I wasn’t sure,” he said. “I talked to Gerry (Pe?alosa) before his fight. He knew I couldn’t go. I told Gerry this was his last chance, to be aggressive and pray to God for strength. I told him to fight for his family, for his country.”
Did he hold up a PAL flight? “Of course not,” he replied. “I think they were overbooked and I was the only one with a confirmed ticket. I asked if my companions, Buboy, (trainer) Nonoy (Neri) and (legal counsel) Jeng (Gacal) could be accommodated since they had reservations. It took a long time before they got back to me. In the end, it was only Buboy who got to board. The version that came out in the papers (not The STAR) about me holding up the flight because I couldn’t decide to board is false.”
Pacquiao said he realizes Barrera is out for revenge and is a dangerous opponent.
“I’m not taking him lightly,” said Pacquiao. “I can’t afford to lose. I’ve got six weeks to prepare and that’s enough time. I’ll be in shape for Barrera. I can’t tell you how the fight will end but I can guarantee I’ll do my best.”
Pacquiao said he doesn’t mind being criticized for his mistakes but all he asks for is fairness from media.
After Barrera, Pacquiao said he’s looking forward to facing others who are in line –Juan Manuel Marquez, Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero, Humberto Soto, not necessarily in that order. For the time being, his focus is strictly on Barrera.
Pacquiao said now that he’s at the peak of his career, retirement is farthest from his mind. Maybe, in three or four years. He said he hasn’t lost the hunger to fight and he’ll continue to try to bring honor to the country.
A dream is to earn a college degree. His timetable is to finish his business management course at Notre Dame University, where he recently enrolled, in four years. He has an English tutor to make him more fluent.
Pacquiao said he was impressed by A. J. Banal’s performance at the recent World Cup and singled him out as a future champion. But he was blown over by Penalosa’s win.
“Freddie and I are Gerry’s co-managers,” said Pacquiao. “I give my share as co-manager to Gerry. I made a bet on Gerry and what I won, I gave him. All I asked Gerry was to win, to give it to me as a balato, and he did it. I think he should defend his title next and not go up to superbantamweight to challenge (Daniel) Ponce de Leon again. He has no vices so he should have three good fights left.”
Pacquiao said Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista still has a future despite his one-round knockout loss to Ponce de Leon. “He’s strong,” said Pacquiao. “But he has to work on a lot of things, like head movement. It was a mistake to just stand in front of Ponce de Leon and exchange. Ponce de Leon will kill you if you just stand there like a post. Boom Boom will learn from that loss and become a better fighter.”
In a parting shot, Pacquiao assured his fans he won’t let them down.
“I’ll be ready for Barrera,” he vowed.
