From the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque.
Manny Pacquiao, who’s been in the US for almost two weeks now, has reportedly decided to wrap up his training for his July 2 fight with Mexican Oscar Larios in Para?aque.
Pacquiao is in Los Angeles training at the Wild Card Gym, which is owned by his chief handler Freddie Roach. The boxer’s former business manager, Rod Nazario, owns the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque.
Pacquiao trained in the same gym for his 2004 fight with Thailand’s Fahsan 3K Battery in Taguig, Rizal. He owns a house just a few blocks away from the gym.
After a long business relationship, Nazario and Pacquiao parted ways in the middle of last year due to personal differences. However, they’ve kissed and made up. Or so it seems.
Nazario said Pacquiao or anyone among his associates has yet to inform him of plans to use the well-kept gym in Para?aque for the final phase of Pacquiao’s training.
“But he’s welcome here. If they want to come here, they’re all welcome here. I have no problem with that. It’s okay with me if Manny trains here,” Nazario told The Star yesterday.
The portly boxing manager said Pacquiao showed up at the Para?aque gym a few days before leaving for the US, and did some shadow boxing to loosen up.
“Nag-papawis nga dito bago umalis. But I didn’t get the chance to see him. He came in late,” said Nazario.
Pacquiao, who left for the US last May 15, will fly home on the third week of June or probably a dozen days before he faces Larios at the Araneta Coliseum.
Pacquiao will have to do some more gym work once he gets back to Manila, and might wrap up his sparring sessions no more than five days before the showdown.
When Pacquiao left for the US, he was weighing close to 140 lbs, or 10 lbs heavier than the weight limit for the 12-round battle with Larios. He is reportedly close to his fighting form with a full month left to train.
