Filipino ring star Manny “The Destroyer” Pacquiao confirmed yesterday that will be coming over to Cebu to train for three days at the RWS Gym owned by Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud. Pacquiao said that he will be arriving in the Queen City of the South at 11 am today aboard a Cebu Pacific flight from Davao City. He will be met at the Mactan International Airport by Salud, Cebu City Councilor George Rama and other well-wishers.
Pacquiao, who will be accompanied by his American lawyer Keith Davidson and interpreter Joe Ramos, will be billeted at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel where he will take a rest before working out at 1 pm at Salud’s modest sweat shop situated at Guadalupe Village in Brgy. Punta Princesa, this city.
“Talagang pupunta ako diyan sa Cebu bukas (today) at mag-ensayo sa gym ni Wakee Salud,” said the 27-year-old Pacquiao.
The former Ring Magazine featherweight champion said that he will train in Cebu only until Saturday as he is scheduled to leave for the US on August 7 to start his rigid training at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Hollywood for his September 10 rune-up fight against Mexican toughie Hector Velasquez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Salud said he is doing some minor facelift at his gym to make it more presentable to Pacquiao, who shot into fame after his brutal 11th round destruction of Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in November 2003.
“It’s a distinct opportunity not only for me, but to the entire Cebuanos that Manny (Pacquiao) will be coming over here to train at my gym,” said an elated Salud, who once molded the careers of former world champions Malcolm Tu?acao (WBC flyweight) and Gerry Penalosa (WBC super flyweight).
Barring any hitches, this will be the second time that Pacquiao will visit Cebu and rub elbows with his multitude of Cebuano fans – all courtesy of Salud.
The first was when Pacquiao graced the OPBF super featherweight title defense of Randy Suico against Thai Muangfahlek Kiatwichean under RWS Promotions International last April 27 at the Lapu-Lapu City Sports Complex. Suico scored a clinical fourth round knockout for his fourth successful defense.
Pacquiao said he has already started his conditioning while he was at his hometown in General Santos City spending quality time with his family. He will start sparring next week under Roach’s supervision at the Wild Card Gym in LA.
“Nagsimula na ako sa aking conditioning para pagdating ko sa US, handa na akong sasabak sa sparring,” said Pacquiao.
In the same card featuring Pacquiao, Mexican star Erik Morales will slug it out with former Olympian Zahir Raheem.
If Pacquaio and Morales win, they will go up against each other in a highly-anticipated rematch tentatively set on December 10 in Las Vegas.
Morales won via close, but well-deserved unanimous decision over Pacquiao in their epic 12-round contest last March 19 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
