There is a very strong likelihood that both Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and his leading April 28 opponent, WBC featherweight champion In jin Chi of Korea, will be training in the Philippines for their scheduled fight in Macau, China.
A planned Pacquiao-Chi bout on April 28 will most likely take place after the well-respected lawyer Rudy Salud had been informed by Chi’s representatives that the WBC featherweight champion was willing to mix it up with Pacquiao. Salud, through a journalist friend, then called up promoter Bob Arum to inform of Chi’s interest, and Arum sounded upbeat on the match-up.
Early this week, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach had informed the media that Pacquiao might opt to train in the Philippines, although the announcement drew strong reactions from fans who pointed out that there would be too much distraction for the Filipino icon in the country.
ROACH EYES ALA GYM
Roach was quoted as saying he would not mind having Pacquiao train in the country, and would himself stay here for several weeks to train his prized protege.
The famed ALA gym in Cebu, which is owned by outstanding sportsman Antonio L. Aldeguer, has been mentioned by Roach as a possible venue for Pacquiao’s training. This came after Roach was impressed with what he saw when he visited the ALA gym last month a few days after Pacquiao celebrated his birthday.
Roach was in Cebu for a few days upon the invitation of Cebuano promoter Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud, a close associate of Pacquiao.
CHI IS AN ALA GYM REGULAR
However, Roach apparently was not informed that In Jin Chi, who will most likely battle Pacquiao on April 28, is a regular ALA gym rat who holds his training camp at the sprawling compound everytime he has an upcoming fight in Korea, Japan or elsewhere.
On December 11, 2005, Pacquiao crossed paths with Chi at the ALA Gym when they both came to train for their respective upcoming bouts.
Pacquiao was preparing for his rematch with Erik Morales which was to be held the following month, while Chi, who was accompanied by his trainer Jin-Kil was preparing for his WBC defense against Japan’s Takashi Koshimoto.
The two fighters did not spar on that day, but they are both familiar with each other’s style, which should make their upcoming fight exciting to say the least.
“I was not around when Pacquiao visited my gym, but I had been informed by my people that they were here,” said Aldeguer yesterday in an interview.
The well-respected businessman/sportsman, while he said that Pacquiao would be very welcome in his gym anytime, pointed out that it would be to Pacquiao’s disadvantage to train in the Philippines because of all the distractions and other concerns that might disturb Pacquiao’s focus.
