Las Vegas—It’s high afternoon, the wind was breezy, but it’s scorching hot at the Top Rank Gym here.
Some fans were waiting outside, but many were able to sneak in and watch Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, and Freddie Roach rehearse the final moves needed to overcome challenger Timothy Bradley Saturday night.
Ignoring the 37-degree Celsius temperature, Pacquiao gladly showed Roach the punches he’d unleash depending on Bradley’s stance.
The Fighter of the Decade also demonstrated the counterpunches he’d make once Bradley swings and misses.
Having crafted the fight script for nearly eight weeks, Pacquiao and Roach worked in perfect harmony as if they’re doing choreographed routines and not spontaneous bursts of hand and feet action.
With Pacquiao already in peak form, Roach cut short the training session, done as religious songs blare in the background, describing it as “great.”
Pacquiao, who Roach said weighed 146 pounds before the workout, is ready for whatever Bradley, the freshest guy he’d face in recent years, will bring in the ring.
Also atop the ring were assistant coach Buboy Fernandez and conditioning trainer Alex Ariza, who’ll be joining Pacquiao’s corner against Bradley, after all. Argentine Miguel Diaz will be the cutman.
Among the spectators were Jeric Soriano, Pacquiao’s spritual adviser, and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. Also in the gym working out was Breiton boxer Amir Khan.
Right after changing his clothes, Pacquiao, flanked by security personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and Wild Card Gym security chief Rob Peters, headed for the exit door.
After signing some autographs, Pacquiao proceeded to his 60th floor suite at Mandalay Bay’s THEhotel. He needed to recharge before having another bible-study session and then retiring to bed. /inquirer