HOLLYWOOD?The king came to fetch his queen.
World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao did away with his usual relaxation time Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila) to fetch wife Jinkee at the Los Angeles Airport.
Accompanied by a television crew and members of his trusted ?LA Boys,? Pacquiao was right on the dot as Jinkee?s small entourage that included twin sister Janet reached the waiting area.
After five minutes obliging fans and the media, Pacquaio?s group left for the 40-minute drive back to the gated Palazzo apartments, where the Filipino ring icon stays while training for fights in the United States.
Tapering off preparations for his WBC lightweight title challenge against Mexican-American champion David Diaz on June 28, Pacquiao said he will spar for eight rounds Thursday.
Pacquiao has sparred for 122 rounds, doing 10 rounds against three sparmates on Tuesday, in anticipation of a tough and bruising fight against Diaz?a southpaw and a brawler like him?at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
In his Philboxing.com column Wednesday, Pacquiao said that his training is proceeding smoothly despite the unexpected absence of chief trainer Freddie Roach, who was down with the flu.
Sans Roach, Buboy Fernandez took over the ?coaching chores.?
Fernandez, who has been at Pacquiao?s side since 1996, bellowed instructions like Roach and capped Pacquiao?s work with four rounds with the mitts.
Together with Roach, a two-time Trainer of the Year awardee, Fernandez analyzes the tapes of Pacquiao?s foes and charts the plan of action to be followed for each fight.
Completing Pacquiao?s handlers are Nonoy Neri and Eric Brown and conditioning coach Alex Ariza.
Pacquiao said he trusts them fully and gives them credit for his fast recovery from a bout with cough and cold last week.
Already in fine shape, Pacquiao?s spirits were further lifted by Jinkee?s arrival.
