By James Blears
World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman is expressing concern at reports of disruptions and distractions to Manny Pacquiao’s training.
Too many people trying to crowed into the sessions and stories of a frustrated Freddie Roach, threatening to go home, unless things radically change immediatly, have rang alarm bells at WBC Headquarters in Mexico City.
Don Jose said: “Freddie Roach is a very decent, honest and serious trainer. If he is risking his position as trainer of Pacquiao, there must be something very bad.
“I think that boxers should not accept anything making them go out of concentration and total dedication to the mental and physical preparation for a fight.
“Manny should make a correction in his mental attitude and devote totally to his profession that has given him what he has. That has made him what he is. He can not go this way.”
Although an inspired Manny pounded out Marco out in eleven blistering rounds thee years ago, catapulting himself to superstardom, Don Jose is warning that nothing at all can be taken for granted this time around in the re-match. He said: “Barrera is not any fighter. He’s a helluva good fighter and even though he’s not in his prime he can still be dangerous for any fighter in the world.”
Don Jose suggests that Manny should have taken more time off to recover from his out of ring loss from a bruising and unsuccessful venture into politics.
He also stressed his concern by commenting: “I’m very worried because boxing needs Pacquiao. In boxing many of the heroes are stepping down and leaving the sport. They’re getting old. So boxing has to protect the permanence of the heroes for as long as we can, until the time of new heroes comes. That is our obligation.
“Floyd Mayweather is to me the best pound for pound as a boxer. But the best pound for pound in excitement, passion, tension and aggressiveness is Pacquiao!”
