Los Angeles, CA: - As promised, here is the weekly progress report from the Pacquiao training camp at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood.
Pacquiao is slowly but surely progressing towards the hard grind ahead in preparation for Freddie Roach?s return next week.
Today, the world?s pound for pound champ again went through the same routine. The only difference was he did ten rounds with the mitts with Buboy Fernandez.
?It was supposed to be only 4 rounds? Buboy told this writer over late lunch at Pacquiao?s favorite Thai Restaurant next door to the gym. ?Then it went 6 rounds. But Manny wanted more, so we ended up doing 10 rounds?. I am not complaining because it was nice to see Manny build up his routine. Besides it helps me build up an appetite and as you can see, I am enjoying the food?, he added.
Michael Moorer, the new training assistant for Freddie Roach was inside the ring as well, observing and giving pointers as Buboy and Manny went along.
One thing that is readily apparent at the gym was the strict crowd control. There were not too many people allowed to view the training although no sparring is happening yet. In fact, even this writer who enjoys the privilege of being allowed in the gym had to ask permission to take photos.
To Moorer?s credit, as soon as he found out who we are and the outfit we represent (PhilBoxing), he gave us a free hand to do our thing. In addition to us, only MP Promotions official photographers (Miguel Salazar- still photos and Levi Gutierrez- video) were allowed.
Buboy today was wearing a new shirt that did not look familiar to us. Thus, we asked.
Buboy stated that he was wearing a shirt with the Davis Paint logo because he was asked to do so in exchange for a fee.
Buboy accepted the offer after an okay from Pacquiao.
But to his credit, he is not taking the fee for his personal gain. He asked the Davis Paint people to instead donate paint to his home town Parish Church in Polangui, Albay.
Come to think of it. Such is the influence of Pacquiao to his people. Even them are getting as generous as the Pacman himself
Buboy could have easily kept the large fee offered to him in exchange for wearing the shirt. But he opted to donate it to his hometown church.
Indeed, an admirable move!
Top photo: Former heavyweight champ and now Wildcard Gym trainer Michael Moorer (L) watches intently Manny Pacquiao's training routine with Buboy Fernandez.
Pacquiao doing the speedball.
Photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
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