THE FAMED Wild Card Gym of Hollywood, California will formally open its Philippine counterpart on Feb. 15 with featherweight king Manny Pacquiao and top-notch boxers from Tony Aldeguer?s stable in Cebu gracing the inauguration. Located on Presidents Ave. in BF Homes, Paranaque, the Wild Card Gym will be the new home of Pacquiao while in Manila revving for a big match. He is expected to train there in preparation for his 2004 debut scheduled in May in the US.
Rod Nazario, who will operate the sweat shop patterned after Freddie Roach?s Wild Card on Vine St., said he?s been receiving lots of inquiries concerning membership and the gym?s amenities and special features.
High-grade boxing equipment were personally purchased by Nazario and close associates Ramon Lainez, Lito Mondejar and Gerry Garcia in Los Angeles last year while he was there for Pacquiao?s epic bout with Marco Antonio Barrera.
“The gym is world-class,” said an obviously excited Nazario, who will now have to spend more time at the Wild Card than at the fabled L&M Gym in Sampaloc.
