A POSSIBLE Wild Card Gym in Baguio City?
The prospect of having a world class boxing gymnasium in the Summer Capital is in the works as City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and the camp of famed American boxing trainer Freddie Roach are currently negotiating this.
“Mayor Bautista and the camp of Freddie Roach have been talking to each other for the possibility of constructing a Wild Card Gym in the city and we are optimistic this will push through,” said Secretary to the mayor Ronald Perez during the opening of the city sports meet.
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This came in the heels of reports that reigning WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is eyeing to construct a boxing training facility here in Baguio.
Pacquiao was reported to have talked with Robert John Sobrepe?a while he was training here in the Summer Capital before his welterweight champion battle against Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao stayed for four weeks in Baguio before leaving the country for Los Angeles where he trained side-by-side with his fabled boxing mentor, Roach with conditioning coach Alex Ariza.
An insider from Camp John Hay who refused to be identified said they have yet to receive confirmation from their higher office of the plan but he said the six-time champion and Sobrepe?a have already agreed on the plan although no formal agreement was signed.
“They want to have a training facility here because of the altitude which is good for cardiovascular training,” Perez added.
Baguio City has become a favorite training ground not only for boxers but also for athletes because of its altitude and the thin air, which is good for building stamina and resistance.
WBA interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and former boxing champ Gerry Pe?alosa were among the international boxers who trained here making the Shape-Up boxing gym their official training house.
The project could also push through considering Pacquiao, and his chief ally, Chavit Singson, has reportedly bought properties in the former American hill station.
Aside from this, it is said Pacquiao was so impressed by his training here that he has decided to make Baguio his official training camp for future fights.
