Manny Pacquiao was to leave for the US on Friday night to start preparing for Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in a May 8 fight he is hell bent at winning to open the door for mega-buck bouts in the future.
Pacquiao, who has seven weeks to prepare for Marquez, was to board at 10 last night a Philippine Airlines flight to Los Angeles, where he will link up anew with renowned trainer Freddie Roach in his bid to wrest Marquez?s International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association featherweight crowns.
Joining Pacquiao on the 11-hour trip to the west coast were Lito Mondejar, one of his cornermen and owner of Pacquiao?s mother gym in Manila, and Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez.
Also with Pacquiao was US promoter Murad Muhammad, whose M&M Sports and Bob Arum?s Top Rank are co-promoting the Pacquiao-Marquez clash.
Rod Nazario, Pacquiao?s business manager, opted to remain in the country to tend to other boxing-related business. Nazario promised his prized ward, however, to be in LA after the Holy Week. In this Corner host Moy Lainez and promoter Gerry Garcia will accompany Nazario then.
