HALL of Fame trainer Freddie Roach will decide where boxing star Manny Pacquiao will set up training camp for his long-awaited ring return on November 24 opposite dangerous Brandon Rios.
But assistant Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez believes it would be feasible for Pacquiao to train either in the country or somewhere in Asia since the 12-round fight will be staged in nearby Macau.
“Mas malapit kasi sa atin, tutal dito lang ang laban sa Macau, baka pwede namang dito na lang. Marami namang magagandang gym dito,” said Fernandez, a childhood friend and longtime trainer of the 34-year-old Pacquiao.
Still, Fernandez stressed he doesn’t want to encroach on what Roach is planning.
“Si coach Freddie naman ang masusunod. Kaya kung ano ang gusto niya at gusto ng ating champion, dun tayo,” added the popular sidekick of the Pacman.
Sports Radio boxing analyst Renato Lirio, meanwhile, was quick to advice the boxer turned congressman of Sarangani to rediscover his old fire in training.
Lirio insisted Pacquiao’s frustrating losses against Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez can be attributed to the boxer’s multiple commitments, most of which are not boxing related.
“Alam mo `yung Manny Pacquiao, kahit saan yan mag-practice o mag-ensayo, basta siya ay naka-focus, walang problema dyan,” said Lirio. “Ang akin lang na tinatanong sa kanya, ‘Meron pa ba siyang enthusiasm sa boxing tulad ng dati?'
“Andyan pa ba sa puso niya ang boxing?’ Kasi kung may enthusiasm siya, ganado siya. Kung wala na, mahirap nang umasa ng maganda,” added Lirio of the boxer who’s also engaged in politics, showbusiness, product endorsements, and just recently Bible preaching.
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