Pacquiao flirting with disaster

By Al S. Mendoza

MANNY Pacquiao was in the news recently for having suddenly decided to leave his training camp in Los Angeles, California.

He came home after spending only two days in America in a complete reversal of schedules.

The people’s champ was supposed to train in Los Angeles for his October 7 fight against Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Why he suddenly left for home stunned everybody, including Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s American trainer.

Naturally, rumors flew wild and thick.

It could be that the rumor linking Pacquiao to bold actress Ara Mina was true.

Or, is it true Pacquiao’s request for a $1-million advance from his purse in the Barrera fight was denied-forcing him to come home sulking and with his pride pricked.

Just days after Pacquiao had arrived, Roach also hit town.

“We will train here because that’s the wish of the champion,” said Roach. “His wish is my command.”

Did Roach bring the $1 million that Pacquiao had been hankering for?

Roach’s lips are sealed.

But if you ask my mole, the answer is, “yes.”

“What Pacquiao wants, he gets it,” my mole said.

And so, Pacquiao is now training in Cebu, at the newly-built gym owned by Rex “Wakee” Salud, a boxing manager himself who is now Pacquiao’s chief confidante.

“We go back to America for the last two weeks of our training before the fight,” said Roach.

My fear that Pacquiao’s training might not be proper is shared by many boxing experts.

As I keep saying, nobody can beat Pacquiao but only if he is in top shape.

His power is what makes him a winner.

No man standing in front of him can withstand the fury of his fists. Either of his left or right hand can send anyone to dreamland.

Pacquiao had flattered Barrera in 2003 and I don’t see any reason why he can’t do it again in 2007.

For one, Barrera would be fighting scared. He had suffered the pain of Pacquiao’s punches and the thought of absorbing yet a barrage of the Filipino’s blows would be enough to banish him to fearlandia.

For another, Barrera is old meat already as evidenced by his loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, the Mexican boxer whom Pacquiao decked three times in 2004 only to find himself robbed of victory via a 12-round draw decision by a panel of biased judges.

I say Barrera will fight the fight of his life as a victory would avenge the most painful defeat of his life. He’ll be ready on Oct. 7.

But will Pacquiao be ready as well?

He should, or we might yet see an upset in the making.

To avoid that, Pacquiao must be in tip-top shape both in body and mind.

As I said, Pacquiao’s conqueror is yet to be born.

Only Pacquiao can beat Pacquiao.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/general-admission/)

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