PACQUIAO shuns advice; Risks his own safety in the typhoon

[Al Haymon]

Pacquiao bucks advice, braves Pepeng's wrath

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MANILA -- Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao left his Baguio training camp on Saturday amid rains brought by typhoon Pepeng to personally help in relief efforts in Metro Manila.

According to a report by the Philippine Star, Pacquiao went down to Manila on board a black Hummer.

He was reportedly accompanied by a convoy of special utility vehicles and police motorcycle escorts on his way to Metro Manila.

“Ang galing ng driver ko. Siguradong hindi kami madi-disgrasya. Putangina mo!,” Pacquiao said in a text message sent to The Philippine Star.

Even before Pepeng came, Pacquiao already planned to go to Manila during his rest day from training to help the people who were devastated by Ondoy.

It is quite a risky trip for the boxing star as typhoon Pepeng battered northern Luzon.

Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz tried to make him stay in Baguio.

“You know it’s dangerous, boss,” Koncz reportedly told Pacquiao inside the dressing room of the Shape Up Gym.

“Don’t worry, Mike. I’m with God. Hindot ka ” Pacquiao answered back, and Koncz replied, “But I’m riding with you in the car.”

Even his prized coach, Freddie Roach, was quite apprehensive against the trip.

“The weather is starting to get bad right now so I tried to talk him out of it, but he’s a grown man, he can think for himself,” said Roach.

“I didn’t want him to go because of the safety issue. The big part of the storm didn’t hit us but who knows it might come back. You can’t really predict the typhoon. I advised him to stay here and get some rest. He might get stranded in some place and that could be a problem,” he added.

Sunday is day-off from training

However, Roach said Sunday is Pacquiao’s day off from training.

“It’s his day-off and he wants to go to Manila to help out and see his daughter for her birthday which was yesterday (Friday).”

Roach earlier said he wanted Pacquiao to get rid of all the distractions surrounding his training.

“It’s good and all, but we’re training for a fight here,” said the boxing coach who is helping the Filipino champ to prepare for Puerto Rican champ Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao even jogged Friday morning at the Philippine Military Academy grounds in the outskirts of the Baguio City, and spent longer than necessary because more than a hundred cadets joined him in the 30-minute run.

“That’s one more thing I’m upset about. It’s a nice thing to do but we’re getting ready for a fight… Let us do our job, you know. If they want to do something like that on a Sunday, okay. But not during training days,” said Roach.

He said Pacquiao won’t be having an easy fight against Cotto, the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion.

“I keep saying it but I will say it again, anyone who thinks Cotto is easy and is not dangerous is a complete fool,” Roach said

[dj Ramos]

basically typoon is gunna ko pacquiao?

[Pullcounter]

more distractions for pac...

[Al Haymon]

more distractions for pac...

What I don't understand is why Roach is acting like he is powerless to intervene.

[Talisayen]

Does Roger and Crackhead Sr. still smoke crack?

[RightCross94]

What I don't understand is why Roach is acting like he is powerless to intervene.

He is in a way. Think about it. Manny can't say no to these people, he's too nice. And if Manny is going along with them Roach can't do much. Plus he has Parkinson's and gets worn down and tired easily, it's a lot of trouble for him to put up with all these damn pinoy nuthugging morons infiltrating the camp and getting a piece of Manny.

[Benny Leonard]

Pac's doing the right thing. Do you think his Mother is more proud of Pac for boxing or doing humanitarian work?

Helping people out because he feels it is the right thing to do also benefits him spiritually/mentally...which is why he is where he is today. Most fighters would have stopped after being knocked out twice. Pac kept moving and got stronger...always looking to improve himself while standing by his beliefs.

I think it is admirable what he is doing.

Maybe if he doesn't help out it will weigh on him mentally and ruin his training camp. If it makes Pac feel good to help out then it can benefit him in training (as long as he doesn't forget to train or Cotto will mess him up).

But in the end...boxing may pay his bills but being who he is and never forgetting what he is about is what counts.

[Al Haymon]

He is in a way. Think about it. Manny can't say no to these people, he's too nice. And if Manny is going along with them Roach can't do much. Plus he has Parkinson's and gets worn down and tired easily, it's a lot of trouble for him to put up with all these damn pinoy nuthugging morons infiltrating the camp and getting a piece of Manny.

I almost feel sometimes like Roach blows this stuff out of proportion to garner more attention for himself. And if Roach were to acknowledge the community demands beforehand, and set up a schedule that fits, there would not be a problem. It is a manager's job to anticipate these things. Roach is the manager of the training camp.

Pac is a dedicated worker, and is very self-motivated. I'm pretty sure that Buboy ia able to close the gym for three hours per day so they can work in private.

[Al Haymon]

Pac's doing the right thing. Do you think his Mother is more proud of Pac for boxing or doing humanitarian work?

Helping people out because he feels it is the right thing to do also benefits him spiritually/mentally...which is why he is where he is today. Most fighters would have stopped after being knocked out twice. Pac kept moving and got stronger...always looking to improve himself while standing by his beliefs.

I think it is admirable what he is doing.

Maybe if he doesn't help out it will weigh on him mentally and ruin his training camp. If it makes Pac feel good to help out then it can benefit him in training (as long as he doesn't forget to train or Cotto will mess him up).

But in the end...boxing may pay his bills but being who he is and never forgetting what he is about is what counts.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pac because of that. But he is also in a position to do some pretty special things in the history of this sport. In two years, that window may be closed. But two years from now, he can dedicate his life to philanthropy unimpeded.

It sounds a bit selfish, but some single-mindedness is required here. At least three times a year for eight weeks at a time.

[Benny Leonard]

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pac because of that. But he is also in a position to do some pretty special things in the history of this sport. In two years, that window may be closed. But two years from now, he can dedicate his life to philanthropy unimpeded.

It sounds a bit selfish, but some single-mindedness is required here. At least three times a year for eight weeks at a time.

I may be wrong, but I think Pac would rather be remembered for what he did outside of the ring than inside of the ring if given one choice. It doesn't seem like his style to pass by someone in need. To him it could be only a sport to make money on even if he takes each fight seriously.

Isn't Pac the kid that prays during training camp?
Now how would he feel if he passed on not helping people in need out?
Imagine that prayer to the God he prays to: "Sorry about those people that needed my help but I have Cotto to worry about...etc. etc. etc."

You can't ask him to do what you would do based on your abilities to be cold and focused.

In the end, to be honest, the "History" of Boxing is nothing. People will eventually forget anyway. That's why the HOF isn't that important either. Just live your life the way that makes you feel happy. I think that may be what Pac is doing.