LET’S keep everything a secret this time.
This was the request of Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao who is gearing up for a rematch with Mexican tormentor Erik Morales early next year.
From a billiard joint, Pacquiao joined a group of sportswriters in a Japanese restaurant in Malate who requested for an update on his projected multi-million dollar fight with Morales in Las Vegas on Jan. 21.
“Ayoko munang magsalita, baka malaman ng kalaban ang plano (I don’t want to talk about it yet, the other camp might know our plans),” said Pacquiao, who is reportedly going to receive $2 million for the rematch. “Silent lang tayo.”
What the champ announced was his scheduled departure on Nov. 11 for Los Angeles to conduct a publicity blitz for the second Pacquiao-Morales bout that will take him to Texas, Las Vegas, New York and Mexico.
“Maikli lang yung stay ko doon pero pag balik ko kasama ko na si Freddie Roach (It’s going to be just a short stay, but I’ll be coming back with Freddie Roach),” said the 26-year-old boxing superstar.
Pacquiao said his training will officially begin when he and his trainer Roach arrive here on the second week of next month. He didn’t say when they will leave for the United States for the fight.
Apparently, Pacquiao wants to keep his cards close to his chest regarding his buildup for Morales, who won their March 19 fight by unanimous decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Before the fight, Pacquiao’s major battle plans became too accessible to the public even as Morales quietly sharpened his skills and proved too wily for the Filipino fighter.
Pacquiao, warming up for the Morales rematch, stopped Hector Velasquez in the sixth round of their fight last Sept. 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
