LOS ANGELES – THE fun and games are over.
With the first leg of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton promotional tour in Manchester, England done, Pacquiao is ready to get back to work and hit the gym.
“It feels good being back here (in the US),” said Pacquiao to the Asian Journal. “My body feels good. I’m ready to train. I’m ready to go back to work.”
The Pride of the Philippines Pacquiao arrived to LAX from London on Tuesday afternoon. He stepped outside the Tom Bradley International Airport greeted by his entourage and Top Rank President Bob Arum.
Last week, the pound-4-pound champion and the “Hit Man” Hatton were in The Trafford Centre in Manchester where thousands of people attended a press conference for their upcoming battle on May 2.
Arum said that the promotional trip was a huge success. He expects the Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight to be a sell out. He also said that the Filipinos living in England really supported Pacquiao.
“It was really, tremendously successful,” said Arum. “We had great crowds. Manny stole the show. There were so many Filipinos both in Manchester and London, it was absolutely amazing.”
The number of Filipinos who turned out for the press conference also amazed Pacquiao.
“You know, I really expected at Hatton’s place to be all English but I’m surprised to see so many Filipinos,” he said.
Training
With about less than three months before the May 2 battle, Pacquiao’s right on schedule with training for the upcoming bout.
One of Pacquiao’s trainers, Boboy Fernandez, said that this week the team would focus on light workouts for the Philippine champion.
“We’re just going to take it easy right now,” said Fernandez. “Next week, we really work hard and train.”
Re-Match with Marquez?
Mexican 135-pound Champion Juan Manuel Marquez made a deafening statement in the lightweight division on Saturday when he knocked out Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz in the ninth round. During the post fight interview with HBO, Marquez said Pacquiao doesn’t want to fight him so he’s opting to move up in weight and fight the former pound-4-pound Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Its unlikely Marquez would face Mayweather Jr. since the latter is still retired.
Pacquiao said that he’d love another crack at Marquez after the Hatton fight.
“I want everyone to know again that I was the real winner [in the other two matches],” said Pacquiao.
Fundraiser
Pacquiao is hosting a basketball tournament fundraiser this Sunday at Veterans Park in Carson. Pacquiao will field his own team. Former and current Philippine Basketball Association players are expected to be attending and Apl.de.Apl of the Black Eyed Peas will also be there playing ball.
Pacquiao said the money raised would go to the Pacquiao foundation and the Apl foundation. There will be more news of this event in this weekend’s Asian Journal edition.
For tickets, log on to www.groovetickets.com keyword celebrity showdown. (www.asianjournal.com)
(Published LA Midweek March 4, 2009, p.B5)
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