Sunday, March 9, 2008
LOS ANGELES – After seven weeks of hell – on the road and in the gym – Manny Pacquiao’s weight is, officially, down from 150 to 133 lbs. And with a week left before the official weigh-in for his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, meeting the 130-lbs limit poses no problem. After a two-hour workout that included four rounds of sparring, Pacquiao was weighed before a WBC representative at the Wild Card Gym Saturday. "He’s 133!" yelled Eric Brown, the conditioning coach, as Pacquiao, surrounded by his trainers, fans and media, tipped the scales, only in his boxers, then smiled. Bonie Martinez of the WBC stood beside Pacquiao as he was weighed exactly a week before the awaited super-featherweight championhip at Mandalay Bay. It was a WBC-mandated weigh-in, and it called for both Pacquiao and Marquez, the reigning champion, to weigh no more than 136.5 lbs. Marquez was also weighed before a WBC representative in Mexico City. He came in at 131 lbs, just two pounds lighter than his weight last Feb. 15. The Mexican fighter has never had any problems with his weight. Pacquiao admitted Friday that when he arrived in LA last Jan. 15 for the two-month training, he was at 150 lbs. He was down to 139 lbs a month after. "We’re slowing down the work. Three pounds to go with a week away is no problem," said Roach who said he lost a friendly $20 wager to fellow trainer Buboy Fernandez. Roach had hoped for Pacquiao to weigh in at 132 lbs, Fernandez went for 133 lbs, and Nonoy Neri gambled on 131 lbs. But they all looked happy after the weigh-in. "I ate twice after yesterday’s workout (late afternoon and in the evening) and drank lots of water this morning. That’s why I was 133," he said. "But all the hardships will soon be over," he said. Pacquiao sparred two rounds each with Ramon Montano and Juanito Garcia behind closed doors, and looked far from impressive. Against two Mexicans, he got caught, or allowed himself to get caught, with good punches a number of times. But never did he appear to have been hurt. Montano landed some good punches on Pacquiao, but each time the Filipino would laugh it off by saying "Come on! Come on!" Once he got caught by the undefeated Garcia on the ropes, and was tagged a number of times. Then Pacquiao connected with a nice flurry of punches, and he chased the Mexican. But the bell sounded, ending the session. "I guess he was a little bored boxing Monday. He’s getting used to his sparring partners he’s getting a little friendly. But he’s okay," said Roach. As Pacquiao got off the ring, after a minute of prayer, he shouted "Let’s get ready to rumble!" Maybe he must be getting bored. -via abs-cbn interactive
