Pacman in Las Vegas, resumes final workout Francis Ochoa Inquirer
November 14, 2006
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao has returned to the site of his biggest win to get ready for his biggest battle yet.
Pacquiao led a multi-vehicle convoy from Los Angeles to this gambling and entertainment capital of the world filled with confidence -- what with the odds stacked heavily on his side -- as he prepares to meet Mexican great Erik Morales on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 in Manila) at the Thomas and Mack Center.
“I’m ready,” said a visibly stress-free Pacquiao, who trudged into the Wynn Hotel with wife Jinkee early Sunday evening.
Pacquiao will be billeted in a posh suite on the fifth floor of the fabulous hotel until fight night, while he continues to prepare for Morales, whom he stopped in their second encounter last January after losing by decision in their first meeting last year.
In this third meeting between two of the world’s best fighters in the 130-pound division, Pacquiao is no longer an underdog or the favorite with a slight edge.
Pacquiao enters the match a heavy favorite, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers.
Pacquiao is expected to hit the streets early morning to keep his stamina for the full 12-round route just in case his pet left straight and a slowly improving right hook don’t do the job in the early rounds.
After a brief jog and hearing mass in Los Angeles early Sunday morning, the 27-year-old native of General Santos City led the convoy, towing a line of vehicles from the glitzy streets of Hollywood, to the rolling desert hills that spread out endlessly under an immaculate sky to the bright casino lights of Nevada. He was on his Lincoln Navigator along with Jinkee.
Upon reaching the tower suites entrance of the Las Vegas landmark, Pacquiao got off carrying an acoustic guitar. While waiting to be checked in, he again burst into an impromptu singing of a noontime soap theme song.
He smiled at fans, posed for souvenir shots and signed autographs.
Up in his suite at Room 359, Pacquiao rested to shake off the effects of the five-hour trip and had himself massaged by two of his associates.
Also accompanying Pacquiao was brother Bobby, who was scheduled to fight Hector Velasquez -- whom Pacman defeated in September last year -- at the Hard Rock Café also here.
Bobby’s weigh-in for that bout is scheduled Thursday, the same day older brother Manny holds a press conference with Morales to promote their third fight, dubbed Grand Finale.
Pacquiao (42-3-2, 32 KOs) and Morales (48-4, 34 KOs) are reportedly receiving $3 million each for the fight. An interesting clause in their contract stipulates that if Morales fails to meet the weight limit, he will have to cough up $500,000 for every pound he is overweight.
The Filipino champion expects to be fighting in the United States for some more years. In fact, he has reportedly purchased a pricey apartment in the Los Angeles area which will be his home away from home while he trains for future fights.
