Pacquiao to undergo 10-week training for 'Dream Match'
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/13/2008 9:43 PM
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Army reservist and People's Champ Manny Pacquiao visit wounded soldiers with AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano (ABS-CBN News)
Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is set to undergo 10 weeks of heavy training for his December 6 "Dream Match" against international boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya.
Pacquiao will be leaving for Los Angeles Sunday night to start his training at coach Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym.
"[Kailangan ng] matinding paghahanda, mag-start na ko by Monday," said the hard-hitting lefty.
Pacquiao said he and Roach will be working on maintaining his speed while bulking up for the fight.
"Importante ang speed, ‘yon tutukan natin. Speed saka footwork, head movements," he said.
Pacquiao and de la Hoya have agreed to fight in the 147-pound limit division.
"Sa ngayon, nasa 154 pounds ang timbang ko at wala pong problema sa pagkuha ng 147-pound limit na siyang paglalabanan namin," Pacquiao earlier said in his online column "Kumbinasyon" on Philboxing.com.
Pacquiao said he is not even watching his diet at 154. He added that he can easily burn the excess pounds when he starts training.
Pacquiao, an Army reservist, joined military chief Gen. Alexander Yano on Saturday in a hospital visit to soldiers wounded in recent clashes with communist rebels and armed Moro separatists.
He also went to Cebu together with his father Rosalio and his brother Ruel.
Pacquiao also said he will be tagging along his wife Jinky to the US. However, he said they would have to check it out with the doctor if she will be allowed to watch his fight.
Pacquiao on Beristain
When asked about de la Hoya hiring legendary trainer Nacho Beristain as his coach, Pacquiao merely shrugged.
"Walang problema," he said.
Beristain is also the trainer of boxing counter puncher Juan Manuel Marquez, whom Pacquiao beat for the WBC super featherweight belt via a highly disputed split decision last March.
Pacquiao said it is good that de la Hoya tapped a very good trainer, which will make their fight more interesting.
"Maganda ‘yon, magaling din ang coach niya. Makapagbibibigay din siya ng magandang laban," he said.
Pacquaio will also accompany de la Hoya to a seven-city tour to promote their fight. The tour will start in New York followed by stopovers in San Antonio and Houston in Texas, San Francisco and Lo Angeles in California, and Las Vegas. With reports from Rod Macenas, ABS-CBN News and ABS-CBN Cebu
