By Ronnie Nathanielsz
MANNY Pacquiao has begun tapering off one week before his eagerly awaited showdown with unbeaten pound-for-pound No.1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2.
Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, sparred six rounds yesterday and then rushed to celebrate the birthday of his son Israel, the youngest in a brood of five.
Even though you sense a semblance of worry in his camp despite the outward confidence of trainer Freddie Roach, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and longtime adviser Michael Koncz, Pacquiao himself has been telling his team not to worry because he is doing the fighting.
Besides, as Gareth Davies of the Daily Telegraph reported, Pacquiao has been responding to the pressure of preparing for the fight of his life against Mayweather by taking refuge in his Bible classes.
Pacquiao’s entourage of a little less than one hundred people, half of whom are extended family, have been based at the Park Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and will board two big buses on Monday for the motorcade to Las Vegas, where Pacquiao and his entourage will check in at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino.
Pacquiao is expected to spend a small fortune for his family and entourage, which has been estimated at $2 million.
A serene Pacquiao said he doesn’t feel any pressure.
“God is with me so I have peace of mind,” Pacquiao told Davies. “It is the most important thing. If God is with you , everything will be all right.”
