MANILA, Philippines?The pre-Olympics invite and other commitments have pushed back Manny Pacquiao?s plan to train in the United States soonest.
He may even opt to begin his preparations for his June 28 titular duel with World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz in Cebu, not in Los Angeles as originally planned.
According to close friend and confidant Rex ?Wakee? Salud Tuesday, Pacquiao has accepted China?s invitation to visit some venues of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and his itinerary may even include a side trip to Xiamen.
The WBC super featherweight champion will be accompanied by wife Jinkee, Salud and five others to the tour that will start on April 28 at the earliest and April 30 at the latest.
Instead of proceeding directly to the US, Pacquiao will then return to the Philippines to honor previous commitments, including a visit to Pinamungahan, Cebu, where the Pacquiaos trace their roots.
So as not to lag behind Diaz, who opened training camp April 19 in Chicago, Pacquiao has started jogging and light workouts for the megabuck fight also set in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Salud added that Pacquiao may train in his RWS gym for a week before flying to Roach?s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, the second week of May.
This means Pacquiao will no longer be able to match the eight-week training he spent in preparation for Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, whom he dethroned as super featherweight champ on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
