HOLLYWOOD, CA – While I couldn’t get into the Wild Card Gym Saturday afternoon, I more than made up for it on Monday.
Let’s just say I was welcomed with open arms into this amazing boxing gym today and capped the day off with dinner at Nat’s Thai Restaurant with the Pacman himself!
Full disclosure on my part demands I disclose National Boxing Examiner Micheal Marley was right next to me and about 25 of Manny’s closest friends, family and team members were with us.
But Marley and Me (remember we are in Hollywood) were allowed to join the private party, opposite Manny and pepper him with medicine ball sized – questions. At least my questions were. Marley can fend for himself.
Manny demanded we join him in eating dinner and within moments we had plates of food and beverages placed in front of us. We were the only journalists invited to the party and a genuine ‘Thank You’ to Manny’s security chief Rob Peters who made it possible.
Now on to more serious matters. Pacquiao didn’t spar today but otherwise he put in a full workout. He worked the suspension bag, the speed bag and got in the ring to move around. He didn’t ‘just’ move around though.
He glided. He sauntered. He strutted. He moved with the grace few boxers before him ever have. His physical skills, confidence and and boxing strategy / knowledge, along with his easy-going charisma make him the No.1 pound for pound fighter of his era.
Often he shared the ring and jump rope platform area with young amateurs and children who idolize him and are building their own hopes and dreams.
I didn’t see the entire workout as Manny slipped through a private entrance and up secret steps next to the neighboring massage parlor and into the sweat box of a gym. By doing this he avoided 60-80 people hoping to get an autograph, picture or just the chance to see him. But it would have taken another 30 minutes for all the requests. He left the gym the same way.
The Wild Card Gym was packed with boxers and trainers and there was an absolute buzz in the air that MannyPacquiao was there toiling in the gym with them. He is quite an inspiration.
I don’t believe I had seen Pacquiao train in person since the days before his first fight with Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio in 2003.
What I walk away with tonight is that while Pacquiao was certainly confident going into that Barrera fight, today, because he has experienced everything from success, fame, fortune, and the other extreme – a loss (to Erik Morales), and a maturity that only comes from those types of experiences.
I asked him mostly questions about the upcoming Dallas fight against Clottey March 13 which I’ll be addressing in upcoming columns. I also met a few colorful characters while there and will work them into future stories.
On a personal note, Pacquiao remembered autographing for me a huge poster I took off the wall at the old Jesse James Leija Gym in San Antonio after that Barrera fight.
The vinyl banner was made by a beer company sponsor and it said ‘Welcome to San Antonio Manny Pacquio’ and I believe the flag of The Philippines was on it.
I’m curious what it would bring on eBay but trust me it ain’t for sale.
