DAVAO CITY ? Blame it on the weather.
Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao opted to postpone his trip to Manila today and moved it to Sunday following weather disturbances that recently affected Metro Manila and the entire Luzon.
“Dito na lang muna ako sa Davao habang malakas ang bagyo sa Luzon. Dito ko na rin ipagpatuloy ang aking training (I would be here in Davao while there?s a strong storm in Luzon. I would also continue my training here,” Pacquiao said, adding that Davao?s being outside the country?s typhoon belt works to his advantage.
The Ringside Magazine featherweight champion is slated to fight IBF super bantamweight Fahsan 3K Battery Dec. 11 at The Fort in Taguig.
He was scheduled to wrap up his rigorous training here in Davao City yesterday and was to fly to Manila today for a series of engagements prior to his much-awaited match with the Thai boxer.
Renowned American trainer Freddie Roach said the venue of Pacquiao?s training would not in any way affect his ward?s condition.
“Manny (Pacquiao) is gearing up to fight. He is in very good shape. He can fight anyone,” Roach said.
Roach even stressed that although Pacquiao is focused on his Dec. 11 fight he is ready to fight anytime WBF/IBF featherweight champion Juan Miguel Marquez in place of Marco Antonio Barrera who snatched last Sunday the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown from Erik Morales.
“Line them all up ? Fahsan, Morales, Marquez, Barrera, whoever. Manny is ready for all of them,” Roach said.
Pacquiao himself said Marquez, whom he is also slated to fight Feb. 26 in Las Vegas, could not make it against Barrera. “Talo si Marquez kay Barrera. Pero handa din ako kay Barrera (Marquez is no match to Barrera but I am also very much ready for Barrera),” he said.
Roach said he is eager for a rematch with Barrera whom Pacquaio defeated in a fight in the US last year.
Pacquaio?s local trainer Lito Mondejar, on the other hand, said Pacquaio would still have to complete his targeted 77 sparring rounds before Saturday. But the sparring matches shall all be held here and no longer in Manila.
Pacquaio yesterday sparred with Philippine lighweight champion Fernando Montilla for four rounds, and three rounds each with boxers Chris Saluday and Arnel Porras.
Mondejar also said it was good that Pacquaio decided to stay longer in Davao City because he could train better here than in Manila given the worsening weather condition in the metropolis.
While in Manila, Mondejar said Pacquaio could train either at his L&M Gym or at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Para?aque.
“It depends on Manny where he wants to train. But it is best that he stays here in Davao first where there is no typhoon,” Mondejar added. (ERR)
