THE things a fan would do to meet his idol.
Azkals midfielder Simon Greatwich endured a five-hour bus ride just to have a glimpse of Manny Pacquiao’s high altitude training in Baguio City.
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Fresh from their AFC qualifying match victory in the Myanmar, Greatwich hopped on a bus Tuesday night to finally meet one of the country’s pride in sports where they are currently holding their training for the final week.
“It’s a quite privilege to meet Manny and the five-hour trip is kinda worth a while,” said Greatwich. “We had a quick jog earlier but I could not keep up with his pace.”
Indeed, Pacquiao’s endurance is continually tested as the team closes their high altitude training this coming weekend in anticipation of an even tougher training camp at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California.
Pacquiao opened his Wednesday workout with an early morning jog at the pristine Sta. Lucia Estate, as part of his preparation for his title defense on May 7 against Sugar Shane Mosley for the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt.
BAGUIO. Boxing champ Manny Paquiao cools down jumping on a used tire before doing a four-round sparring match with David Rodela. (Sun.Star Baguio)
Sparring for the reigning pound-for-pound king is scheduled Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays but will only total 16 days during the entire training camp, where at least 120 rounds will be completed.
“We’re trying to build-up his endurance because this will be a big factor during the fight,” said conditioning coach Alex Ariza after the early morning workout.
The eight weight division champion also took another mitts training in the afternoon at the Shape-Up Boxing gym where he is also working out with World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title holder Amir Khan with Khan also preparing to defend his 140-pound title against Paul McCloskey.
Khan fights McCloskey on April 16 in Manchester, England.
However, Khan will not spar against Pacquiao this time. But Pacman previously sparred with the British boxer of Pakistani descent for his fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito last year.
Pacquiao’s camp is set to leave Baguio by Friday evening and will fly straight to Los Angeles on April for the last five remaining weeks of the training where two other spar mates are on standby for the Sarangani representative at the Wild Card gym.
