Manny Pacquiao returned to the gym yesterday and his legions of fans can now heave a sigh of relief.
His followers have become worried, if not anxious, about their idol?s relaxed attitude leading to his coming fight with David Diaz where Diaz?s World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight (135 lbs) crown will be at stake.
The Filipino boxing star yesterday reported for training at a gym in General Santos City owned and operated by many-time benefactor Rey Golingan, who described the one-and-a-half- hour-long workout as “fantastic.”
“Manny looked great in his workout and he did almost everything in the gym except spar,” reported Golingan, who once had Pacquiao, then known as ??Kid Kulafu,?? under his stable of amateur fighters.
“Manny?s taking it nice and easy and he hopes to be in good shape by the time he begins working with Freddie Roach on May 10,” said Golingan, adding that Pacquiao plans to train in his gym until he leaves for the US for his June 28 showdown with Diaz.
Pacquiao?s decision to show up at the gym and train is expected to rid his fans of their worries over Pacquiao?s supposedly easy-going ways specially that his crack at Diaz?s crown in Las Vegas is less than two months from now.
The 31-year-old Diaz, in contrast, kicked off training camp last April 19 in his hometown of Chicago and is conditioning himself for sparring scheduled next week.
Pacquiao probably just worked a little sweat yesterday because he will be in Manila today for some business matters and will fly to Cebu tomorrow to be at ringside when two-time world light-fly title contender Rodel Mayol fights on Saturday night.
Mayol used to live in Pacquiao?s apartment in Los Angeles and Pacquiao?s presence should serve as an inspiration to the comebacking Mayol.
On Sunday, Pacquiao will visit the town of Pinamungahan, which is 70 kilometers southwest of Cebu City, where the Pacquiaos trace their roots.
Welcoming Pacquiao in the 3rd class municipality is town mayor Geraldine Yapha, who is also a doctor by profession.
Then, it?s back to General Santos City and back to the gym for Pacquiao, according to Golingan.
Pacquiao remains the heavy favorite going into his ambitious quest to become a four-division world champion when he collides with Diaz.
Pacquiao is the reigning WBC super-feather (130 lbs) titlist apart from being the former WBC fly (112 lbs) and International Boxing Federation super-bantam (122 lbs) champion but none of his titles is at stake and is probably the reason why he is taking it easy.
He has nothing to lose except his pride.
