Manny Pacquiao again avoided the huge crowd that gathered to greet him on his arrival at the Los Angeles International Airport yesterday by sneaking out through a private exit. It was trainer Freddie Roach who met the fans and later answered questions from a gathering of TV network reporters while Pacquiao slipped out to get some rest.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told the Inquirer that the “Fighter of the Decade” slept through the entire flight and didn’t even eat because he was tired after working hard in the Baguio City phase of his training camp.
He said Pacquiao first visited his Palazzo Apartment and then “went to his home where it was quiet and decided to rest there.”
Strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza is scheduled to discuss with Pacquiao their training schedule beginning Monday. The routine will start with a morning jog followed by a workout at the Wild Card Gym in the afternoon.
Pacquiao is expected to put on an impressive performance against former three-time world champion Shane Mosley when they clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 7.
Pacquiao wants to outdo Floyd Mayweather Jr., who settled for a 12-round decision over Mosley in their fight last year after getting rocked in the third round.
Meanwhile, Koncz said Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation featherweight champion Allan Tanada (10-1-2, 5 KOs) Philippine junior flyweight king Marlon Tapales (16-1, 5 KOs) will fight on the Pacquiao-Mosley undercard. Photo by Chris Farina – Top Rank
Tapales, who is having problems making the weight, plans to move up to the super flyweight ranks for the May 7 fight.
Ronnie Nathaniels, Inquirer.net
