Fans flock Manny Pacquiao as he headed for the exits after cancelling what was supposed to be his last career training.
LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao showed up at Top Rank Gym Thursday afternoon, seemingly decided on doing a few rounds of drills after a morning run even against the advice of his trainers.
In the end, his trainers prevailed.
And what was supposed to be the Pacman’s last official workout because of his plans to retire ended rather anti-climactically as a throng of onlookers and journalists shuffled to the exits after the Filipino ring icon canceled his last training day on the advice of trainer Freddie Roach and opted for rest two days before he collides with Timothy Bradley for the third time on Saturday at MGM Grand here.
Buboy Fernandez, an assistant trainer and Pacquiao’s closest pal, admitted it was hard to take a workout junkie like Pacquiao out of his routine.
“We thought he wasn’t going to practice because we agree that he won’t run if he’s going to practice in the afternoon and vice versa,” Fernandez told INQUIRER.net. “But we can’t do anything because he’s gotten used to this.”
Pacquiao actually arrived in the gym and headed to the locker room to prepare for training. He gave out an interview to a Filipino TV crew. But after 20 minutes, he headed for the exit without breaking sweat.
“Napakiusapan (He was talked out of it),” said assistant trainer Marvin Somodio.
When asked who got Pacquiao to change his plans, Fernandez said “the whole team.”
“We don’t want him to get burnt out. We don’t want him lifeless on fight day,” Fernandez said.
Pacquiao went straight to his suite at Delano Mandalay Bay, where he led another bible study session with family and friends.
No more scheduled workouts for Pacquiao on Friday before or after the weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena, which is open to public.
Fernandez said there are no concerns regarding Pacquiao’s weight for fight night, saying the eight-division champion is weighing around 141 to 142 pounds.
