AS of yesterday, Filipino boxing sensation has heeded the request of his handlers to train in the United States for at least six weeks.
In a press conference to formally announce his next fight, Pacquiao told mediamen that most of his training time will be at the Wild Card Gym of famed American trainer Freddie Roach.
?I?ll start my training by the last week of December. Early next year will set-up our training camp at the Wild Card Gym.
Pacquiao is set to challenge World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao, who turned 29 last Monday, has this penchant of changing his mind at the last minute when it comes to setting up his training camp. Particularly his last two fights, Pacquiao has been criticized even by his most ardent followers about the fighter?s decision to stage his training camp in the Philippines.
?I?ll be training for eight weeks. Most likely most of which will be in the United States,? said Pacquiao who still sounded a bit hesitant in giving out a definite plan regarding his training camp.
Present during the press conference held at the Bar One in Crowne Plaza were Roach, Top Rank Inc. big boss Bob Arum, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Solar Sports executives Wilson Tieng and Peter Chanliong.
In a recent interview with BusinessMirror, Roach said he wants Pacquiao to train for eight weeks, with the first two weeks focusing on conditioning here in the Philippines before going full blast the next six weeks at the Wild Card Gym.
In a separate interview, Arum supported Roach?s plan as it will also give the US promotional swing a big boost with Pacquiao?s presence in the United States.
?Over the lat few years, the Mexicans have great great pride in having three fighters in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions that dominated the sport. And it?s very weird to say that Juan Manuel Marquez was the third in popularity among Mexicans in that group,? said Arum who mentioned Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera as the top two fighters.
Arum is still wary at some problems Marquez may pose against Pacquiao and believes the Mexican is motivated by the fact that he now carries the pride of his country.
?The last Mexican standing is the guy who is least acclaimed and that is Juan Manuel Marquez. What does that mean, he carries the pride of a country on his shoulders and the fact that he was the third guy on the list in this category makes him even more determined,?said Arum who added they are targeting a 500,000 pay-per-view buys for this event.
Pacquiao (45-3-2, 35 KO?s) said he is confident of a win as he was more nervous with his fight against Morales and Barrera compared to his March encounter against Marquez (48-3-1, 35 KO?s).
Roach meanwhile believes Marquez will still be the same counterpuncher like he used to be for almost his entire career.
?I do believe he will still be generally a counter puncher for this fight. The thing is Marquez? style is a little bit difficult I think his style gives us problems but there?s definitely ways to capitalize on it. ,? said Roach. ?Manny kinda left his right hand in his pocket the first time they fought. Now he has developed both hands and is fighting much better. Marquez has two hands to deal now.?
Pacquiao gave a hint on what people should expect once he enters the ring on fight night.
?Against an effective counterpuncher, all you need to do is be a counterpuncher too and thru that you can make your opponent lose his focus and positioning,? said Pacquiao.
Arum also warned that no one within Team Pacquiao, especially the Filipino fighter himself should look past Marquez. Recent reports have been coming out about Pacquiao taking on pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr, superstar Oscar Dela Hoya and British hero Ricky Hatton late next year.
?Freddie is always the first one to tell us to don?t look ahead. Everything is focused on March 15 Again, let?s make the news on Juan Manuel Marquez, that?s enough to handle now,? said Arum ?Yes were looking at fights in Macau and Dubai but my efforts, Freddie?s efforts are going to be devoted for this fight in March.?
Watch parts of the press conference by clicking on the link below
