LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao Monday had an overdue haircut, shaved his goatee then looked at the mirror and quipped that he looked much younger now.
?Nagmukhang bata ako, ah (I look younger),? he declared before team hands, visibly amused at his ?clean? appearance.
Pacquiao did not say it but the ritual shearing could also be his way of shifting to war mode.
He motors to the battle site in Las Vegas Tuesday for the monumental Oct. 6 rematch with Mexico?s Marco Antonio Barrera.
He did not mean to be rude, but claiming he has visibly shaved off years spoke of the brimming native confidence about a repeat conquest of Barrera, whom he stopped four years ago.
Volumes have been spoken and written about the rematch but, more than the thematic will to win, age will surely be the deciding factor in the second encounter between the two great warriors.
Barrera, 33, will not need a facial make-over, a bit of sissy powder, as he still looks young as a legitimate movie-world hero.
No war statement
But he will have to surpass himself to beat the many years that have started to conspire against his legs.
Definitely at his peak, Pacquiao again refused to issue a war statement, a dirty job left with trainer Freddie Roach.
?We?re working double time to shorten the punches,? Roach explained before the weekend break.
He however no longer spoke of the killer blow, a fresh addition to the Pacquiao arsenal, which he has been perfecting almost in secret with Pacquiao.
?Sa laban na lang magkaalaman kung sino talaga ang magaling (We?ll know who?s better on the fight itself),? Pacquiao, obviously tired of the useless chatter from the opposing camp, declared last week.
Tapering off
Pacquiao has already totaled 130 rounds of sparring, but he closes training here with another session, before the tapering off portion in Las Vegas.
He had another big meal — chop suey and fried salt water fish — before going to mass where he led in the offering.
Youth will definitely be on Pacquiao?s side but Barrera, whom the Pacman called the strongest of the Mexicans he has fought, won?t again allow himself to be intimidated and pushed around.
For one, Barrera had a more composed training camp than the one Pacquiao had in Cebu City.
Pacquiao has displayed boundless stamina and punching power at Wild Card. But his defense was less than perfect.
