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by David P. Greisman - No training camp is watched more intently or scrutinized more closely than one involving Manny Pacquiao.
No training camp is more publicly tumultuous.
There are the personality clashes between members of Pacquiao’s expansive entourage. There are the acts of God that not only disrupt Pacquiao’s camps in the Philippines, but also devastate his country. And there are the numerous responsibilities that come with Pacquiao’s status.
Pacquiao had already reached the pinnacle of superstardom years ago, back before he transcended being a denizen of pound-for-pound lists and became a shoo-in for a spot among the all-time greats. His fights have famously put battles in the Philippines on pause, with both the government soldiers and the rebels ceasing fire while Pacquiao is in the ring.
A superstar became a national hero. The national hero has become an icon.
He acts in movies. He records albums and performs in concerts. He holds a seat in his country’s House of Representatives.
He still fights. He still fights at the highest level of the sweet science. He still wins at this highest level.
He is still watched intently and scrutinized closely. His many extracurricular pursuits are still questioned openly.
“There are so many distractions here in the Philippines,” Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, was quoted as saying to USA Today. “His preparation – for Manny – leaves something to be desired. When he hits the mitts, he demonstrates his quickness. But when he’s sparring, whether it’s because he’s adjusting to bigger guys, taller guys, or whether he really hasn’t got the conditioning to fight at full speed the way he always does, I’m not sure.”
“I think Congress is getting in our way a little bit,” Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said on the first episode of HBO’s Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 miniseries. “His focus isn’t right, so he’s not consistent. Going into big fights, even the slightest distraction can throw a guy off.” [Click Here To Read More]
No training camp is more publicly tumultuous.
There are the personality clashes between members of Pacquiao’s expansive entourage. There are the acts of God that not only disrupt Pacquiao’s camps in the Philippines, but also devastate his country. And there are the numerous responsibilities that come with Pacquiao’s status.
Pacquiao had already reached the pinnacle of superstardom years ago, back before he transcended being a denizen of pound-for-pound lists and became a shoo-in for a spot among the all-time greats. His fights have famously put battles in the Philippines on pause, with both the government soldiers and the rebels ceasing fire while Pacquiao is in the ring.
A superstar became a national hero. The national hero has become an icon.
He acts in movies. He records albums and performs in concerts. He holds a seat in his country’s House of Representatives.
He still fights. He still fights at the highest level of the sweet science. He still wins at this highest level.
He is still watched intently and scrutinized closely. His many extracurricular pursuits are still questioned openly.
“There are so many distractions here in the Philippines,” Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, was quoted as saying to USA Today. “His preparation – for Manny – leaves something to be desired. When he hits the mitts, he demonstrates his quickness. But when he’s sparring, whether it’s because he’s adjusting to bigger guys, taller guys, or whether he really hasn’t got the conditioning to fight at full speed the way he always does, I’m not sure.”
“I think Congress is getting in our way a little bit,” Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said on the first episode of HBO’s Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 miniseries. “His focus isn’t right, so he’s not consistent. Going into big fights, even the slightest distraction can throw a guy off.” [Click Here To Read More]
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