Traffic snarl disrupts Pacquiao schedule

Manny Pacquiao prepares to leave Wild Card gym in Hollywood, CA after his training on Friday afternoon, 24 April 2015. Photo by Rem Zamora/INQUIRER, See more at FRAME

HOLLYWOOD—A traffic snarl on his way to the Wild Card Gym for the scheduled afternoon workout forced Manny Pacquiao to deviate from the rest of his daily routine Friday.

His convoy from his home in Plymouth Boulevard arrived in the gym an hour late although he went through his two-hour workout in a breeze with his preparation for his May 2 welterweight showdown with unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. now on the tapering phase.

The traffic problem was reportedly triggered by the centennial celebration of the 1915 Armenian genocide.

Among the fortunate few who watched Pacquiao do the mitts with chief trainer Freddie Roach was former sparring partner Raymundo Beltran, the North American Boxing Federation lightweight champion.

Filipino actor Cesar Montano also dropped by, but opted to stay at the nearby Nat’s Thai Food.

When he returned home from the gym, Pacquiao was greeted by supporters and well-wishers who were able to get past the security details. Among them was Sen. Ralph Recto, who later had dinner with him.

Senator Ralph Recto is greeted by Manny Pacquiao in his residence in Hollywood, CA on Friday night, 24 April 2015. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA/ INQUIRER/ See more at FRAME

His wife Jinkee later arrived with their four older children from a hamburger and fries binge.

When Recto’s group left, Pacquiao was about to climb the stairway when some pastors arrived.

At 9 p.m., Mommy Dionisia, Pacquiao’s mother, reportedly requested those still inside the house to let her son take a rest. It was close to 10 p.m. when he went to bed. Roy Luarca