Pacquiao to deliver relief goods to Leyte after fight with Rios

Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao trains at a gym in General Santos City, on the southern island of Mindanao on October 24, 2013 ahead of his upcoming bout with US boxer Brandon Rios in Macau on November 24. Pacquiao says he is furiously training like a 20-year-old to break a losing streak and re-establish his reputation as one of the world’s best fighters. AFP FILE PHOTO

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – Pugilist-cum-lawmaker Manny Pacquiao had always wanted to go to Leyte to visit and provide assistance to victims of supertyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) there but his aides had prevented him from doing so, his assistant trainer said Monday.

Dionisia, Pacquiao’s mother, is a native of Leyte.

Buboy Fernandez, assistant trainer of Pacquiao, told reporters here that the Sarangani congressman had asked their permission to visit Tacloban City and other typhoon-hit areas in Visayas but was advised by his team against doing it this time.

“His bout is fast approaching that’s why we told him to do it after Macau,” Fernandez said, adding that Pacquiao had acceded to the advice.

In a subsequent interview, Pacquiao said he was at least satisfied that Sarangani province had sent relief assistance to areas badly battered by Yolanda.

“I am going to deliver additional assistance there. In fact, I will be visiting the victims soon to at least uplift their spirits. I will do that immediately after my fight,” he said before leaving for Macau on Monday.

Pacquiao said he would put up a good fight to inspire people affected by the disaster and the Filipino nation in general.

It is a known fact that the Philippines would almost grind to a halt during Pacquiao’s bouts.

RELATED STORIES:

Roach: Pacquiao will KO Rios

Pacquiao-Rios big bet for fight of the year

Pacquiao ‘expecting’ to beat Rios, no retirement plans