LOS ANGELES, CA ? Hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach was excited to reunite with Manny Pacquiao but not until Saturday morning here to whip up a rigorous seven-week training regimen for the Filipino who is embarking on a crucial title fight with Mexican IBF and WBA featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez on May 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Philippine Airlines plane from Manila was expected to touch down late Friday night at the LAX airport with Pacquiao, promoter Murad Muhammad and trainers Buboy Fernandez and Lito Mondejar in tow.
Roach and the rest of his staff over at the famed Wild Card gym have eagerly prepared to roll a warm ?red-carpet? welcome for the Filipino, who is well-loved and respected by everyone?his three-by-five foot picture standing as the biggest ever pasted in the northern wall here, among many other boxing legends and champions. Also, the Philippine flag is in display, bigger than the American, Irish and Scottish flags.
