By Lance Pugmire
He is surrounded most of the time by admirers and hangers-on, but
Pacquiao says he has avoided distractions while training for Saturday's
fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.
The crowd walked down the concrete steps of Hollywood's Wild Card Boxing Club in front of, and behind, Manny Pacquiao
.
More, dressed in emerald green and royal blue sweatsuits emblazoned
with the "MP" logo, waited below in the parking lot, some holding a
table for the star at a cozy Thai restaurant.
Others had already eaten, ready to drive and pack into a large bus,
vans and sedans — 30 vehicles in all —- that transported the
world-famous boxer and his entourage of about 150 people across the
Mojave Desert on Monday to Las Vegas for his fourth fight against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday at the MGM Grand.
"They're not all with us every day," Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz said. "But they have a way of all showing up fight week.
This exit scene defines Pacquiao, the brilliant fighter navigating
the fray of being constantly surrounded by hangers-on — some who earn
their keep by tending to his chores like laundry, cooking and driving,
and others whose roles are dubious.
"I know there's a lot of people who want to be close to me," Pacquiao
said. "That's a part of being famous. I like having a lot of people
around me. If you don't like that, don't be famous."
With so many tugging on Pacquiao, however, tumult is typically the order of the day.
A few weeks ago, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who doesn't
believe in a higher power, learned one of the four pastors trying to
attach himself to Pacquiao had preached to the boxing great and his
friends until 2 a.m. before a training day. There was hell to pay from
Roach, an unfiltered scolding of the man of God who kept Pacquiao up
late.
One sparring session was delayed because Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee,
brought a group of about 20 friends who each wanted to exchange
pleasantries and take cellphone pictures.
Yet, Pacquiao's willingness to listen to almost anyone within earshot
is one reason why he is so popular with millions of Filipinos and fight
fans. At a Monday photo op at the gym, U.S. Rep.-elect Tulsi Gabbard
(D-Hawaii) said Pacquiao's genuine interest in his fellow man "puts
Manny above the rest."
Pacquiao, 32, said he acts this way because, "I know the life of
nothing. I know what those who ask me for money are feeling. Boxing is
my passion. Public service is my calling."
Still, many close to Pacquiao have urged him to step away from those looking for handouts.
"He lets people hang around because it's in his blood to help —
spiritually, financially," Koncz said. "But I think he's gotten real
good at knowing the [phonies]. The traffic around here is much less than
what it was."
Pacquiao said he has learned it's not wise to simply hand out money,
as he has done outside his home in the Philippines and to the flocks who
wait for him in the Wild Card parking lot, steps away from a liquor
store. It's why he created what he calls a "sustainable livelihood"
program in his Filipino congressional district to lead those in need to
education and jobs.
Pacquiao also made some changes in training camp. He installed a set
of rules for his entourage — "No drinking, no women" —- after
philandering threatened to end his marriage before his last fight
against Marquez in November 2011. Anyone who disobeys is booted by a
Pacquiao subordinate.
Pacquiao and his wife credit a Christian pastor for saving their
marriage. Although the boxer's friends say that pastor is kept at arm's
length after asking for 44 tickets, and multiple hotel rooms, for
Pacquiao's fight against Tim Bradley in June, a split-decision win for
Bradley.
While that pastor languishes, Father Marlon Beof, a Catholic priest
from Oxnard who has delivered more than a dozen of Pacquiao's pre- and
post-fight Masses, said he has been invited to preside over the services
again this weekend in Las Vegas.
"St. Augustine had a restless heart too," Beof said. "But he
ultimately found the truth in the religion he belonged. I see that in
Manny. That's my hope."
Pacquiao's increased independence also applies to his training. He
didn't follow all the advice from his conditioning coach, Alex Ariza,
even as Marquez bulked up in his training.
Pacquiao, who has two close decision wins and a draw in his fights
with Marquez, devoted more time to training inside the ring, rather than
beefing up with strengthening exercises.
Meanwhile, Roach said the judges Saturday will favor Marquez after
three close fights. So Roach thinks it's crucial that Pacquiao scores a
knockout, or at least floors Marquez in the non-title bout.
Despite all the extracurricular activity, "We've had the best camp in
three years," Roach said. "Manny's knocked four guys down in sparring.
He's well-rested, ready to go after this guy."
In his final Hollywood sparring session, Pacquiao threw punches in
flurries and dazed his sparring partner. As the bell rang, the crowd
erupted in applause, and he smiled at the throng.
"Just a little sample of what's coming," Pacquiao said. "If I have a chance to finish him, why not?"
One of Pacquiao's friends said that no one can compartmentalize life better than this guy.
"This camp has been really good," Pacquiao said to assembled reporters. "No distractions."
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