The offer for Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao to begin training in Cebu for his decisive November 18 match against Erik Morales still stands, promoter-manager Rex “Wakee” Salud said.
While Pacquiao was treating sports scribes to dinner Monday at a restaurant overlooking the Manila Bay amid the downpour and gusts of typhoon Glenda, Salud said he was only too willing to accommodate the boxer in his hometown.
“I believe that he will have less distractions there and train better,” said the bespectacled Salud. “He just has too many commitments in Manila.”
“He [Pacquiao] can start training in Cebu by mid-August if he likes. We can keep him away from the crowd. His third match against Morales is a very important fight,” Salud said.
Salud said Pacquiao would feel at home in Cebu to begin light workouts before leaving for the US for intense training, considering the pride of General Santos City is also fluent in Cebuano.
American manager Shelly Finkel had earlier announced at a recent press briefing announcing the November 18 clash that he preferred Pacquiao to be in the US by mid-August to begin workouts, a sentiment echoed by trainer Freddie Roach.
Salud confirmed that Pacquiao was most likely to leave for the US in the second week of August to formalize the fight contract against Morales, but is also expected to return home to fulfill his numerous endorsement obligations.
Monday was a long day for Pacquiao, highlighted by his appearance at the State of the Nation Address of President Arroyo, who personally cited the boxer near the end of her speech.
The boxer’s wave to gallery as the President was calling his name drew the biggest ovation at the SONA.
In fact, “PacMan” still smartly wore the same barong Tagalog and slacks as he hosted sportswriters on that stormy Monday evening, although he was flying the next day to Bacolod City for a motorcade arranged by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Pacquiao slipped out of the restaurant gathering for a while, and sportswriters who stayed around longer said the boxer came back near midnight.
The boxer reportedly had another engagement with Rep. Miles Roces of Manila.
