LOS ANGELES — From 1-3 p.m., nobody with official business is allowed entry to the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
But an exception is this Manila Bulletin reporter. While many others have tried to get in for a sneak preview of the workout, none were allowed and only this writer has been given permission to observe Manny Pacquiao’s training at the famed sweat shop of Freddie Roach.
Some have asked whether we have been barred from watching the workout. Not at all. And why would we fly all the way from Manila if we can’t get inside the gym?
Pacquiao’s entourage invited us to join him for the first part of his training. After a few days, we will be back in Manila. The invitation was meant to enable us to get a glimpse of the training but not to report on any particular aspect of the technique as this might be telegraphed by the opposition.
We have been assigned to share the same room as Pacquiao’s at Building 3 of the Palazzo. The two other persons staying at the Palazzo are US-based boxers Gerry Balagbagan and Vernie Torres.
This writer accompanies Pacquiao when he starts the day jogging at 5:30 a.m. At noon, Pacquiao drives his Lincoln Navigator to Wild Card with me taking the front seat. It’s safe to say that he trusts me although some would try to make something of my friendship with Rod Nazario, Pacquiao’s long-time business manager but with whom he’s now unconnected.
Mr. Nazario is still my friend. As for his personal dealings with Pacquiao, that is none of my business.
Pacquiao is doing well despite some people’s apprehension that his fame and wealth have made him soft and vulnerable.
He might be but it’s not because he loved boxing less and the luxury of life more. He knows that without boxing he’s nothing. And this is what drives him to train like never before.
