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FILIPINO
boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao is hoping and praying
that it will be God’s will for him to win in his
upcoming rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera of
Mexico.
This was
what the 28-year-old Pacquiao revealed to those present
inside the executive room of the Wild Card Gym in
Parañaque Saturday afternoon moments after his
three-hour session ended.
“Ginawa
ko na ang lahat ng sakripisyo para sa paghahanda ko sa
laban na ito. Diyos na ang bahala para ibigay sa akin
ang panalo,” said Pacquiao, while consuming fried
chicken and a cup of rice.
In the
rematch dubbed “Will to Win,” Pacquiao and Barrera are
set to battle for the second time on October 6 at the
Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Grabe
itong linggong ito. Biro mo dalawang 12-round
sparring pinagdaanan ko,” added Pacquiao. “Basta
lahat ibibigay ko para manalo ako.”
A devout
Catholic, Pacquiao never fails to hear Mass before and
after his bouts.
“Pati
kalaban niya ipinagdarasal niya na huwag magkaroon ng
injury. Ganoon ka-religious si Manny,”
Pacquiao’s former associate Moy Lainez told
BusinessMirror “Pati sa pagkain, kami nga sumusubo na
siya nagdarasal pa.”
Since he
started fighting under the care of former manager,
Malabon-based construction businessman Polding Correa,
Pacquiao always wears a rosary when entering the ring,
which, according to Lainez, was given to him by his
mother Dionisia.
“Buong
pamilya nila Manny talagang relihiyoso. Ang nanay
niya nagdarasal na lang imbes na panuorin ang laban ni
Manny,” added Lainez. “Talagang hindi pakitang-tao
’yung pagdarasal niya dahil ganyan na talaga si
Manny nu’ng nagsisimula pa lang.”
Meanwhile, Pacquiao said he is just a few pounds over
the super-featherweight limit of 130 lbs, a fact that
doesn’t come as a surprise to experts as the Filipino
boxer is believed to be a natural featherweight.
“Sino
ang gustong pumusta sa timbang ko? 132 lbs na
lang ako ngayon,” was what Pacquiao said, alluding
to hints that weight will be a concern for his upcoming
bout.
In
preparing for a major bout, Pacquiao discarded the Wild
Card Gym of his famed trainer Freddie Roach located in
Hollywood
California
for the first time in his career.
This
time, Pacquiao was joined by Roach at the RWS Gym in
Cebu since August 15, a move which eventually earned the
approval of the American mentor.
“It was
a concern at first. But anywhere in the world just give
me a gym and Manny will be fine,” said Roach “You can’t
say anything bad about Manny when he starts training.”
Even
regular sparring partner David Rodela liked what he saw
in their training camp in Cebu.
“He was
so at home and you can see the smile on his face that he
really enjoyed his training here in the Philippines,”
said Rodela. “It is important for fighters to feel good
about training. It was really hot all the time but on
the contrary it made Manny shed excess pounds quite
easily.”
Rodela
himself enjoyed the training camp in
Cebu. Now, he is looking forward to fighting in the
Philippines sometime in December. The Mexican-American
is being offered a fight versus current International
Boxing Federation Pan-Pacific lightweight champion Ranee
Ganoy in a major card to be held at the Araneta
Coliseum.
“That
will be great. I will be ready for that fight. The
timing is perfect. After the fight I can celebrate with
Manny during his birthday,” added Rodela.
Pacquiao
will turn 29 on December 17. |
