The bulk of Manny Pacquiao’s training for the July 2 clash with Mexican Oscar Larios would still take place in the country as the steel-fisted Filipino southpaw will return on June 3.
”I am leaving (for the US) on May 15,” said Pacquiao when he dropped by the Roligon Mega Cockpit in Para?aque early Tuesday night.
Being eyed to accompany Pacquiao are close friend Wakee Salud and Joe Ramos. As to where Pacquiao will train when he gets back from a three-week stay at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood remains a mystery although Baguio is the frontrunner to host him and trainer Freddie Roach.
”The best would be Baguio if Manny really decides to return on June 3. There’s no way Manny can train in Manila without distractions,” added Salud.
Pacquiao had earlier threatened not to go to the US and just bring over Roach, but his close associates like Salud, have warned him not to take Larios lightly as a defeat would jeopardize plans for a megabuck third fight with Erik Morales late this year.
Larios, meanwhile, will train for four weeks in his hometown of Guadalajara, and by the time Pacquiao heads back to Manila from Los Angeles, he would also be out of Mexico and working out at the Teiken Gym in Tokyo. (Nick Giongco)
