Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao laughed when he was prodded about his supposed very good condition and great training camp with less than 1 month away until his “The Event” match with Ghanaian Joshua Clottey.
His laughter turned out to show his pleasure with the condition he has achieved.
“Maganda kasi na nakuha ko agad ang kundisyon ko kasi hindi ako masyadong matagal nagpahinga,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN Sports commentators Ronnie Nathanielsz and Dyan Castillejo during the live telecast of Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 on Sunday.
“Last fight ko November so January, nakapag-training agad ako. Nandoon agad ang kundisyon ko,” he added.
Pacquiao made history when he won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title last November 14 as he became the only 7-division world champion.
He defeated Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto via a 12th round technical knockout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He will put his WBO title on the line against Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13.
Pacquiao is currently training in Los Angeles. His coach, Freddie Roach, even wanted the Filipino boxing superstar to slow down for fear that he could reach his peak too soon.
Advice to fellow boxers
Pacquiao made a last-minute appearance at the Las Vegas Hilton on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to show support for his fellow Filipino boxers Mark Jason Melligen, Bernabe Concepcion, Gerry Peñalosa, Ciso Morales and Nonito Donaire, Jr.
He chatted with Nathanielsz and Castillejo during the fight of Morales against Mexican Fernando Montiel.
“Ninerbyos ako ah,” remarked Pacquiao at the onset of his brief interview.
After a few minutes of conversation, Castillejo, Nathanielsz and Pacquiao were stunned by Montiel’s knockout of Morales in Round 1. The Filipino fighter suffered a blow to the stomach.
“Talagang walang matibay kapag reduce ka… walang matibay sa sikmura,” Pacquiao said after Castillejo noted that Morales was on a diet of crackers because he had to lose 12 lbs. before the fight.
“Kaya ‘yan ang sinasabi ko sa mga boksingero—kailangan kung gaano kayo hard na mag-workout sa kamay niyo… kailangan yung body i-workout niyo nang mabuti,” he continued. “Minsan kasi ‘pag natapos na sa workout, tamad na mag-sit-up, magpa-ano ng abs eh. Mahirap yun ‘pag dating ng fight.”
The world’s best pound-for-pound fighter then explained the importance of strengthening the midsection: “Kasi mas malaki sa mukha mo ‘yan eh.”
Wrong decision
Pacquiao also commented on the other fights that took place in Pinoy Power 3.
For him and Roach, Peñalosa should have won against Puerto Rican Eric Morel.
“Talagang panalo si Gerry… Lamang siya ng pitong (7) rounds,” he said. Peñalosa lost via split decision.
The scores were 115-113 and 116-112 in favor of Morel, and 115-113 in favor of the Filipino boxing veteran.
Proud manager
Pacquiao was also delighted with the result of Concepcion, whom he manages.
“Proud ako sa boksingero ko. Next fight niya is Juan Manuel Marquez… ‘Pag lumaban siya, ako nandoon ako lagi araw-araw sa training niya.”
Concepcion posted a unanimous decision win in his 10-round bout over Puerto Rican Mario Santiago with the scores 98-91, 96-93, 97-92.
Pacquiao, however, said that Concepcion still has to a lot to work on.
“Kulang lang ‘yung timing. Coordination sa paa niya at saka sa kamay niya,” he noted.
Help for Gorres
Injured boxer ZC Oliveros “Z” Gorres, who is recovering from 2 major brain surgeries, was also at ringside.
He was supposed to be featured in Pinoy Power 3
“Meron kaming ibibigay ‘di na siguro natin sabihin,” Pacquiao said of the assistance he will give Gorres.
He even invited the crowd at the Las Vegas Hilton to attend his fundraiser for Gorres.
“We already gave Gorres our help, Bob [Arum] and I… At sana suportahan po natin. Kung gusto niyo pong tumulong, ipangalan sa foundation ko, Manny Pacquiao Foundation.”
Other results of Pinoy Power 3 are Donaire’s 3rd round knockout of Mexican Manuel Vargas and Melligen’s 6th round TKO victory over Raymond Gatica of the US.
“Maraming, maraming salamat din sa ating kababayan at siyempre sa inyo, nagpapasalamat ako. Sa lahat ng mga nanonood… Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong walang sawang pasuporta,” he stated.
“Kaming magkakasamang mga boksingero, gagawin namin ang lahat para makapagbigay karangalan sa ating bansa para ‘di masayang ang mga pagdasal ninyo at pagsuporta niyo sa amin. Maraming salamat, mga kababayan.”
For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.
Source: insidesports.ph
No comments:
Post a Comment