By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Ardent supporters of Manny Pacquiao have expressed growing concern over the delay in his departure for the U.S. to begin training under the watchful eye of 2003 “Trainer of the Year” Freddie Roach at his famed Wild Card Gym  in Los Angeles.

Boxing manager and promoter Rex ”Wakee” Salud, a closed friend of Pacquiao said “Manny needs to concentrate. Everybody is worried.” Salud whose protégé Elmer “Yukka” Gejon fights for the WBA minimum weight title on September 25 against Yutaka Niida of Japan said Pacquiao had called him yesterday afternoon to say that he would train at Salud’s gym in Cebu after his arrival from his hometown of General Santos City on Thursday.

There was confusion over when and where Pacquiao would begin training as one report said he had chosen to train at the well-appointed, sprawling ALA Gym of respected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer while boxing commentator Moy Lainez claimed Pacquiao was planning to train for a few days at the L&M Gym in Manila before leaving for LA on Sunday. Pacquiao considers his first gym, L&M, as being lucky for him.

Several fans of Pacquiao who regularly post on the mannypacquiao.ph website have also shown concern over Pacquiao’s shooting movies, playing pool, taking part in various cockfighting derbies and staying out late.

Salud pointed out that his September 10 opponent Hector Velasquez has “a puncher’s chance” and Pacquiao should not take him lightly pointing out that he has just over one month to train. Velasquez has won four of his last five fights by KO or TKO and boasts of a record of 42-10-2 with 31 KO’s.