Baguio ideal venue for champ's training

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – This city braces for Monday’s arrival of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who chose to set up his camp here in his buildup for his keenly awaited showdown with Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto in November.

“Baguio is a wise choice for his training, contrary to Freddie Roach and Bob Arum’s wishes, because it provides good cardio-vascular development as well as for stamina and strength,” said Boy Velasco, one of the coaches of the national boxing team.

Pacquiao said that eight weeks would be enough to put himself in top shape for the Cotto bout on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas where the power-punching Filipino is aiming to add the WBO welterweight champion to his growing list of victims.

But Roach and Arum fear of distraction with fans expected to come in droves during gym training at the Teachers Camp and during roadwork.

“Team Pacquiao should really take into considerations distractions, especially that the city is a major tourist destination,” said former Gintong Alay national camp director Narciso Padilla.

However, Velasco said security has been arranged this early that would ensure the world pound-for-pound king’s unhampered training.

He added that the ABAP (Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines) gym is ready.

“The facility has undergone face lifting even before Pacquiao decided to train here,” said Velasco.

Still, the greatest asset of this city is its high altitude, said Padilla.

“We hope, however, that local residents will cooperate in supporting Pacquiao’s two-month training program here by respecting the training regimen especially during his outdoor road-runs and work-outs,” Padilla said.

Source: philstar.com