By Eddie Alinea
LOS ANGELES,Cal. (PNA) -- An extremely happy and contented World Boxing Organization welterweight titleholder Manny Pacquiao is what the entire universe will see when the Filipino ring icon stakes his 147-pound division crown against American challenger Timothy Bradley June 9 (June 10 in Manila) in the gambling city of Las Vegas. Nevada.
“Yes, I’m very happy and contented nowadays, no problems whatsoever and hope to return home to our country still a champion,” Pacquiao declared in Tagalog Wednesday during his expectedly tumultuous media day session at the Wild Card Gym in downtown Hollywood here.
“This is the first time in my boxing career that my entire family came to my training camp to show their support for me in this fight and that alone makes me more than happy that will inspire me no end in defense of my title,” the 33-year-old eight-division belt-owner told this writer in a separate interview prior to a short workout before a huge crowd of international media men and supporters that filled the Vine St. sweat shop.
The Pacman was referring to wife Jinkee who arrived here last Sunday with children Jimwell, Michael, Princess and Queennie in tow. Jinkee and brood even came in full force Tuesday to watch Pacquiao punished regular sparring mates Ruslan Provodnikov, Kevin Hopskin and Roger “Speedy” Gonzales.
“Of course their unprecedented presence, most especially my children, elated me no end as this marks the first time that all of them appeared in my training camps before,” he said with eyes glowing with elation.
“Sino ba naman ang hindi magagalak na makita na ang maybahay mo at lahat ng anak ay personal na sinusuportahan ka. Nakakataba ng puso, di ba?, ” Pacquiao, a self-proclaimed changed man and a Bible-reading disciple and preacher, said.
“As I have been saying, I’m now clean in mind, heart and body and I feel very very good. First time na nangyari ito sa aking preparasyon na wala man lamang bahid ng problema. Pakiramdam ko kaya kong lahat gawin ang gusto kong gawin na walang anumang makahahadlang,” he said.
Informed of Bradley’s pronouncement of his capability to wrest the title from his more celebrated foe, Pacquiao retorted: “I’ll rebuke him na lang in Jesus’ name. I respect Bradley as a fighter, I respect his capability to win as he did in his previous unbeaten 28 fights.
Roach, for his part, agreed that his ward of 11 years could be unbeatable as he looks forward to improving his rather lackluster performance against Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez last November when he only settled for a majority decision to defend his title for the third time.
“Manny’s very happy and when he’s happy, it spells disaster to whom he is fighting,” Roach assessed even as he admitted Bradley’s durability and toughness. “This is a fight between one guy who is strong against one guy who is fast.”
Roach laughed off copies of the CD titled “Pacquiao-Bradley II” showing him announcing that he will give Pacquiao a rematch that were distributed during the media day session.
“He (Bradley) is in no position to say that,” he said. Besides, why spend so much money for that CD. That’s a lot of b…s …t,” he said chuckling.
Pacquiao’ promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, for his part, said he’s never seen Pacquiao so relaxed as now. “Pacquiao vs. Bradley is a fight fans fight.” Both fighters will come to fight. Expect a non-stop action when they meet on June 9.”
“Bradley is very good when I saw him training, but Manny is sharp, very sharp. I believe because his family is here rooting for him,” the Hall of Fame promoter said. “Manny’s spending more time with his family. He’s changed a lot really.”
“While before, after training he would go somewhere else and staying late coming to the gym lacking in sleep. Now, he looks so fresh every time I see him in the gym,” he said.
“I think he really enjoys Bible-reading and preaching,. It’s good not only in his spiritual life but in his profession as a boxer as well.”
Arum dispelled reports that ticket is not doing well, saying on the contrary, tickets are selling like hot cakes. This early, only about 1,500 tickets in all levels aren’t sold yet. Meaning 14,500 of the total number of tickets printed had been sold.”
