Pacquiao Camp Winding Down as Fight Week Looms

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

EIGHT-DIVISION world champion Manny Pacquiao sparred six rounds with two different sparring partners at the Wild Card Gym yesterday, after which he went eight rounds on the punch-mitts.

Pacquiao looked really fresh and exuded real confidence as he winds down his training for a fight he has wanted for the past five years against undefeated pound-for-pound No. 1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 2.

The fight has been titled by Philippine TV rights’ holders Solar Entertainment as “The Battle for Greatness,” in an unprecedented multi-network telecast over ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and TV5, as well as pay-per-view platforms.

Pacquiao went jogging at the Pan Pacific Park, followed by a crowd of supporters. And following his private workout in the gym, he was visited by superstar Keanu Reeves at his home, with Pacquiao thanking the actor for his support and posting a picture with wife Jinkee and the celebrity star of The Matrix.

Earlier on Thursday, popular actor and longtime fan of Pacquiao, Mark Wahlberg stopped by the Wild Card Boxing Club to see Pacquiao train.

Meanwhile, the eminent businessman Manny Pangilinan spoke to Pacquiao via a live video call after his training and remarked: “It’s admirable how Pacman fights for each and all of us. We are behind you all the way! Good luck and plenty of prayers for you.”

In a tweet, Pangilinan said he “Ended up talking with Pacman about basketball, a possible Pac-May fight in Manila.”