LOS ANGELES, California, United States of America — The choice of gloves, perceived to put the Philippine side at a disadvantage, was quietly resolved in favor of Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino boxing superstar was allowed to use the fight gear of his preference.
After some apprehensions, Pacquiao got the signal to don the Mexican-made Cleto Reyes brand that he has worn in all his fights in the United States starting in 2001.
Mexican Eric Morales will put on his favorite Winnings, supposed to be better padded at the knuckle.
Pacquiao would not admit it, but he had been bothered by reports that he too would be required to use the gloves of Morales’ choice.
Team Pacquiao felt the thicker pads of Winnings could’ve lessened the impact of Pacquiao’s feared power punches.
Naturally, Pacquiao was gladdened when told by trainer Freddie Roach that the Nevada State Athletic Commission had allowed the two fighters in the March 19 main event to pick their own gloves.
Relieved, the celebrated RP knockout artist was twice as bubbly and energetic as he went through his rigorous gym drills yesterday.
It would have been an entirely different story if Morales were still a champion.
“We would have had no choice but also put on Winnings, but Morales is not the champ here, he cannot dictate,” explained Roach.
Pacquiao’s business manager, Rod Nazario, said he had to send for a pair of Winnings gloves which his fighter had to test for two days.
“It cost us $135 dollars, not cheap,” Roach explained.
Roach surmised Morales had insisted on the Winnings brand because the Mexican warrior needed more cushion for his overworked hands.
Journalist Winchell Campos, who first got wind of the problem, had requested that the issue be kept from Pacquiao to save the fighter unnecessary worry.
There were fears Murad Muhammad, Pacquiao’s US promoter, had inadvertently signed an agreement decreeing the uniform use of Winnings gloves for the two main combatants.
Roach said he was very thankful that Marc Ratner, Nevada State Boxing commissioner, has agreed to give Pacquiao his rightful choice.
“Maski ano naman ang gamitin basta magkatimbang (Any gloves of the same size weight would do),” a sweaty Pacquiao, wearing a baby beard and moustache, said yesterday.
He added it would all be a question of who would land the bigger punch (depende sa suntok na tatama).
His handlers had confided that Pacquiao could hit more solidly with the thinner Reyes brand.
Pacquiao hosted a dinner for the other members of his team that included Moy Lainez, Lito Mondejar and Greg Garcia, who arrived Thursday night.
The team will also be backing Z Gorres who has been lined up against Felix Flores Murrillo (15-3-1) in the same Vegas card Pacquiao will headline.
Gorres starts from Florida where he trained under the fabled Buddy McGirt.
Pacquiao, set to spar again Saturday, takes a break and hears Mass Sunday, before his last sparring Monday morning.
