Manny Pacquiao had what boxing manager and promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud described as a good workout at Salud’s gym in Cebu City yesterday afternoon.
Pacquiao, who is forced to push himself in training to make up for his late nights shooting a movie, participating in cockfighting derbies and playing pool, told Viva Sports/Standard Today that he “skipped-rope, shadow-boxed and worked on the speed ball and the punch-mitts,” with trainer Nonoy Neri and felt good.
The former Ring Magazine champion, who has to cram to get into top shape for his Sept. 10 bout with 30-year-old Mexican Hector Velasquez, who has won four of his last five fights by knockouts, said he would be in Manila today to meet with Mike Pingol of Motolite regarding a possible TV commercial and planned to work out at the L&M Gym later today.
Meantime, respected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer said he would know by the weekend whether World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista would fight on the same card as Pacquiao on Sept. 10 at the Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Aldeguer said Top Rank Inc., promoter Bob Arum reportedly told Los Angeles-based Michael Koncz he was interested in featuring Bautista on the undercard where Erik Morales battles Zahir Raheem in the main event.
The proposed opponent of Bautista is Gerardo Martinez, another Mexican with a record of 27-5-2 with 20 knockouts.
Martinez, who is 30 years old, is coming of a 10-round unanimous decision over Erik Lopez last July 14.
