Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who was scheduled to arrive in Manila from Davao City for a 3 p.m. meeting at the Wild Card Gym in BF Homes, Para?aque, with representatives of Darlington Socks regarding the shooting of a new commercial today, failed to show up.
Pacquiao?s business manager Rod Nazario said Pacquiao had informed him that he had missed the flight and would show up today.
His apparent carefree approach to his preparation for the scheduled Feb. 26 rematch with World Boxing Association/International Boxing Federation champion Juan Manuel Marquez and his failure to keep important appointments are causing growing concern among members of Team Pacquiao as well as long-time supporters.
They point to the fact that while Pacquiao enjoyed himself during the Christmas season, Marquez was training diligently.
Respected boxing writer James Blears told Viva Sports/Manila Standard that there was ?no Christmas break for Marquez. On Christmas Day, he showed up at the Gilberto Roman Gym for a tough workout,? even as he pointed out that Marquez started his training in early November and has been steadily increasing its tempo ever since.?
Blears reported that on Christmas Day, while Pacquiao relaxed, Marquez worked on the punch-mitts for six rugged, four-minute rounds and later said: ?This time, I?m going to be faster, stronger and more focused. At this moment, I am engrossed in gym work and physical strength routines and will start sparring in the first days of January. I?m absolutely determined to leave nothing to chance in my build up.?
Pacquiao, by all accounts, is convinced that he can begin training under Freddie Roach at his Wild Card Gym and be ready to dispatch Marquez after six weeks of hard training, which even Roach does not agree would be sufficient.
Roach had suggested that Pacquiao leave for Los Angeles on Dec. 26 but the flamboyant Filipino southpaw has instead decided to leave on Jan. 8.
Trainer Lito Mondejar, who effectively takes care of Pacquiao when he is in Los Angeles, said he ?couldn?t stand the cold and will not accompany Pacquiao,? adding ?I will go there in February,? which he believes is enough.
Mondejar was also quoted as saying that Marquez ?is scared of Pacquiao? and feels that Pacquiao, no matter what the reports are about Marquez? rigid preparation and Pacquiao?s relaxed attitude, the Filipino would win.
