As he was wrapping up his training yesterday, Manny Pacquiao took off his shirt, posed like a bodybuilder then declared his readiness to fight Marco Antonio Barrera ? as soon as possible.
?I?m ready. If he wants we can fight tomorrow,? Pacquiao said as fans, friends and media packed the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque during his last day of training in the Philippines.
?I?ve done my best in training. I?m ready,? added Pacquiao, set to leave for the US last night with an entourage that includes trainers Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez.
Pacquiao trained on and off in the first two weeks of August then went all out, all the way the moment he was joined by Roach and two Mexican sparring partners in Cebu City.
Pacquiao is now in his fighting form, with a chiseled body that seems ready for some ultimate fighting. With still two weeks left, he?s at 132.5 lbs ? just a few meals off the 130 lb limit.
?You won?t believe but I can still eat what I want, as much as I want. The diet starts later on. I don?t know with Barrera if he?s having problems with his weight. I don?t,? he said.
Pacquiao worked out for two hours shortly after noon, and coming off a well-attended press conference attended by top officials of GMA-7 and Solar Sports at The Fort.
Before cooling down inside the ring, Pacquiao noticed the presence of his wife Jinkee who came in with twin sister Janet, to accompany the boxer to a mid-afternoon TV appearance.
?So, here?s my lovely wife. Don?t I deserve a kiss?? said Pacquiao as the crowd cheered and egged him on. He got what he wanted then resumed with his stretching exercises.
Jinkee said she didn?t want to make any predictions for the night, but said since Pacquiao had knocked out Barrera in their first fight, there?s no reason why it can?t be done again.
After a brief rest and a quick bite, Pacquiao and company left the gym on convoy of top-of-the-line SUVs. The crowd saw them off, wishing Pacquiao luck for his coming fight.
The boxer vowed to give his best, then dropped his latest slogan: ?Ang mamatay ng dahil sa?yo (To die for you).?
