DON’T be surprised if you chance upon Sen. Manny Pacquiao jogging or running along Roxas Boulevard in the coming days.
The eight-division world champion will begin his preparations for his
Nov. 5 showdown with World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
According to Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s business consultant, the lawmaker will be doing roadwork to regain his stamina and get back into shape for the tougher grind ahead.
“It will just be for the purpose of doing away with rustiness and excess muscle Manny developed during the three-month interval following his last fight (against Timothy Bradley) last May,” Koncz said.
“We’re still looking for a boxing gym near the Senate building where the senator can start the gym phase of training maybe two weeks from now as training slowly shifts to high gear.”
Sticking to his pre-election promise, Pacquiao will be attending the Senate sessions throughout training camp to be held almost entirely in the country.
Koncz likewise disclosed that there’s a possibility that Pacquiao will also train in his own gym in General Santos City during non-session days.
“After all, sessions are held three times a week from Monday to Wednesday, so, he can fly to GenSan Wednesday evening and work out there Thursday to Saturday,” Koncz said.
Filipino assistant trainers Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri will supervise the early phase of Pacquiao’s preparations with chief trainer Freddie Roach expected to plane in from the United States mid-September.
The Senate takes a break from
Oct. 22 to Nov. 5, meaning Pacquiao won’t have to incur session absences.
Even the fight’s lone press conference at Beverly Hills is scheduled on Sept. 8, a non-session day. Roy Luarca