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By Eddie G. Alinea, Contributor
MILLIONS of his fans, both in the Philippines
and overseas, will see a new Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino boxing
icon fights Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday (Sunday in
Manila) for the latter’s World Boxing Council super featherweight
crown at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
For one, the 29-year-old Pacquiao said he has
completely changed his outlook in life for the good of his boxing
career, which he wants to pursue longer than what his detractors
foresee.
“Di gaya ng sabi ng marami, gutom na gutom pa
rin po ako na abutin ang mga di ko pa naabot. Sabik na sabik pa rin
po akong makuha ang mga bagay na di ko pa natatamo [Unlike what many
are saying, I’m as hungry as before to reach out for the things I
have not yet accomplished. I still thirst to get things that I have
not yet laid my hands on],” he said during a conversation with
former Sen. Robert Jaworski, who visited him in his training at the
Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles in California.
If Pacquiao wins the 12-round title bout, he
will become the first Filipino and Asian, for the matter, to win a
world boxing championship in three different divisions following his
title victories in the flyweight and super bantamweight categories.
“As I saw him train, I think he’s
well-prepared and ready to whatever comes from Marquez’s
artillery,” said Jaworski, who have seen all Pacquiao’s fight in
the US.
“He told me during our conversation that he
has been training like he has never done before. He even told me
that he has already forgotten the vices that had affected his career
before,” added Jaworski.
“So far, so good. Maganda ang resulta ng
pagbabalik ko sa dating ako, kaya umasa kayo at ang iba pa nating
kababayan na gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para madala sa
Pilipinas ang korona. Matagal na rin naman akong walang koronang
nakapatong sa aking ulo,” local basketball’s living legend
quoted Pacquiao as saying.
“Ako naman ay natutuwa na maliban sa akin ay
marami rin namang mga supporters ni Manny na nandito na upang
panoorin ang laban at bigyan siya ng moral support. He said his wife
Jinky arrived here last week pa. And I’m sure na yung ibang laging
nanonood sa kanyang laban, like Gov. [Chavit] Singson will also
come,” Jaworsksi said.
Jaworski said Pacquiao was scheduled to take it
easy Saturday and Sunday after weeks of extensive training that
includes sparring with different sparring partners, roadwork and
calisthenics.
Monday (Tuesday in Manila) he and Marquez, who
has been conducting his preparations months before the Filipino
fighter started his, will appear in the final press conference
before Pacquiao’s group breaks camp and proceed to Las Vegas for
the last phase of his buildup program prepared by long-time American
trainer Freddie Roach.
The press conference is scheduled in Olivera St.
in downtown Los Angeles, a known Mexican territory, although
Pacquiao remained unfazed.
“If Marquez has a lot of Mexican following in
tha area, ako rin marami, di lang Mexicano kundi mga Pilipino.
Siguro naman wala siyang Pilipinong supporter. Ako me mga tagahanga
na Mexicano,” said Pacquiao.
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