Jinkee learns to keep calm during fight storm–with Manny’s help

LAS VEGAS—Jinkee Pacquiao, looking fresh in her green floral dress, sat in the front row during Friday’s weigh-in at MGM Grand Arena.

She appeared calm in the midst of the fight frenzy, a talent she has sharpened through all those times she’s been part of this circus before. And also because her husband, Manny Pacquiao, showers her with reassurances every time he embarks on a big fight.

“Basta relax ka lang diyan (Just relax),” Jinkee said. “That’s what he tells me every time.”

That and other constant reassurances help Jinkee a lot, especially after she became frantic and completely lost it after Pacquiao’s sixth-round stoppage loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

There is one fight tradition, though, that Jinkee refuses to participate in—and that’s giving out predictions about her husband’s fights.

“I don’t do that,” she said.

Her sons, though, shared their thoughts on the bout.

Jimuel, who is trying to make a name for himself in the sport, said he believes his dad would knock out Thurman in eight rounds, while Michael forecasted a stoppage for the Filipino superstar in the later rounds. —MARC ANTHONY REYES