PAC Training in the Philippines

Pacquiao overrules Roach

September 4, 2009

Manny Pacquiao is bringing Freddie Roach to the country whether he likes it or not.

“Kailangan n'ya pumunta (He has to go),” Pacquiao said during a press conference yesterday at the Crowne Plaze Hotel in Ortigas Center when asked about his training plans for the November 14 duel with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

With 10 weeks to go before the fight, Pacquiao said he will set up training camp in Baguio once he arrives from the five-city press/publicity tour that kicks off at Yankee Stadium in New York on September 10. There’ll be similar events lined up in Caguas in Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

Pacquiao expects to be back by September 17 or 18 and will immediately motor to Baguio to begin working out, hopefully, with Roach already in town.

Roach had initially opposed the Baguio training camp, saying they won’t be able to train in utmost concentration there what with regular visits of Pacquiao fans.

Still, Roach said he will do his darn best to whip Pacquiao into fiery form in time for the 12-round welterweight war with Cotto.

“I will just do the best that I can,” said Roach, obviously disappointed over Pacquiao’s decision to pick Baguio over the high-altitude and rough terrain of Toluca, Mexico.

Roach said he will be joined in the Philippines by conditioning coach Alex Ariza and three sparring partners.

Pacquiao said his decision to camp out in the Pines City is not a sign that he is taking Cotto lightly.

“Kilala ko ang style ni Cotto. Malaki, malakas at hindi bobo si Cotto,” said Pacquiao, who believes an eight-week training camp--and not more than or less than that--suits him fine.

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Pacquiao also took the opportunity to appease his fans and followers by his decision not to go into training camp this early.

“Naintindihan ko ang pakiramdam ng kabayayan natin. Worried sila at baka daw short ako sa training. Kabisado ko naman ang training ko. Nung nag-ensayo ako ng mga nine weeks, di maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Nag-ensayo ako ng less than eight weeks at maganda ang kundisyon ko.”

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“Oras na pumasok ako sa training di na ako naaawat. Gustong-gusto ko yung pinaparusahan ang aking sarili sa ensayo kaya’t huwag silang mag-alala,” said Pacquiao, who is in the final stages of finishing his showbiz commitments.

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