Eye problem cancels Pacquiao training day

Pacquiao’s eyes hurt due to pomade applied on his face before sparring. Roy Luarca/INQUIRER

GENERAL SANTOS City—An eye irritation forced Manny Pacquiao to skip training anew Thursday even as assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez assured that the eight-division world champion would be back in harness Friday.

“His left eye got irritated due to the rubbing of towel,” said Fernandez in Filipino. “It was like an ant’s bite. It became reddish and stingy whenever he closes it.”

Fernandez said he reviewed the tape of Tuesday’s sparring and saw that a glancing blow by Muduma, who used a worn-out glove, grazed Pacquiao’s eye in the third round.

According to Fernandez, however, Pacquiao’s training will be back to normal today as the slight swelling, caused by the excess petroleum jelly that penetrated his eyes, has subsided.

“Back to work,” said Fernandez, hinting that his bosom buddy might even spar with Canada-based Congolese Ghislain Muduma today, even if sparring sessions are scheduled Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only.

Fernandez added that Pacquiao’s eyes have been examined and they checked out fine.

Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s adviser, downplayed the two-day break, texting: I believe we are ahead of the game in training so taking a couple of days off from training is not a big issue.

Informed of Pacquiao’s condition, chief trainer Freddie Roach said training will resume today “if he’s well.” If not, Roach said he’s willing to wait for Saturday.