Philippine Star: Pacman’s ex-coach: It’s 50-50

By Quinito Henson

LOS ANGELES – Boxing trainer Justin Fortune said the other day the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight is too close to call but even as he saw it 50-50, gave himself away by declaring it will end in a knockout and the Mexican couldn’t stop the Filipino ring icon.

Fortune, 47, worked as Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach under trainer Freddie Roach for six years, ending in the knockout over Jorge Solis in San Antonio in 2007. He had a bitter parting of ways with Roach over money and both sued each other. Now, Fortune operates his own sweatshop on Sunset Boulevard, about a 15-minute drive to the Wild Card Gym.

“Of course, I miss Manny, he’s a friend,” said Fortune whose claim to fame as a fighter was once battling Lennox Lewis in Dublin in 1995. “I’d love to work with him again but I don’t think Freddie will like it. Before the (Timothy) Bradley fight, Freddie’s lawyer Nick Khan asked if I could rejoin the team. But Freddie will never allow Manny to train in my gym and I’ll never go to Wild Card. I’m not even sure if Freddie knew that Nick talked to me. I’ve known Freddie since 1992 – he trained me as a fighter. I know him better than anyone.”

Fortune said he’s saddened by rumors that there is a lot of infighting in Pacquiao’s camp. “I heard he’s got a chaotic corner, guys not liking each other,” said Fortune. “I don’t know if that will affect Manny’s performance but Manny has to be in control of his team. He can’t allow a situation where some guys in his team hate each other’s guts. You look at Marquez’ corner with (Nacho) Beristain who’s very calm. That’s what Manny will be up against.”

Fortune described Marquez as a consummate boxer. “He can get hurt but he’s able to rally,” said Fortune. “He has the ability to adjust during a fight. But I don’t think Marquez has the power to knock out Manny. Although I’m calling it 50-50, I’m hoping Manny wins. If it goes the distance, I’m not sure if the judges will give Manny the benefit of the doubt again because they did in the first three fights. One guy is going to get knocked out and I’m praying it’s not Manny.”

Fortune recently worked Filipino Drian Francisco’s corner when he halted Mexico’s Javier Gallo in the fifth round at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Francisco is one of four fighters under Fortune’s watch. The others are Japanese welterweight Kai Zama, Australian lightweight Michael Katsidis who once decked Marquez in a 2010 bout and Armenian lightmiddleweight Vito Gasparyan whose record is 14-2-5, with 8 KOs. Fortune also trains several mixed martial arts fighters, including Brazilian lightheavyweight Babalu Sobral and
heavyweight Brendan (The Hybrid) Shaub. His gym is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with Fortune personally supervising workouts.

Fortune said Francisco, 30, will become a world champion sooner or later. “He’s tough at 118,” said Fortune. “I would’ve liked him to challenge (WBA superbantamweight champion Guillermo) Rigondeax. I think Drian would’ve knocked him out. Rigondeaux is a party guy, loves to stay out late, drinks and smokes. They almost finalized the fight then Rigondeaux backed out. Drian hits really hard. He’s wild when throwing punches but it’s not necessarily a disadvantage. Opponents know how hard he hits and they’re always on the defensive because Drian is so wild that he could hit you if you’re not careful. I’d like for Drian to come back to LA and train so we can make some minor adjustments in how he fights. We’ll work on his style and defense. His problem is if he fights someone who bangs like him. But at his weight division, I think he’s the hardest puncher.”

PhilStar: Filipino icon takes it easy: ‘New’ Manny Vegas-bound

 By Abac Cordero

HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao leaves for Las Vegas this afternoon – all geared up five days before he faces old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth – and the last – time Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand.

The Filipino icon spars for the last time today at the Wild Card Gym, and by late afternoon he’d take the four-hour ride to Las Vegas with all his family and friends.

He, however, refused to comment on Freddie Roach’s statements that he’d seen the past few days is a “new” Pacquiao.

“Secret,” said Pacquiao.

He was pressed for an answer, and he replied by saying, “Secret. Puwede ko bang sabihin (Can I say it?).”
“I’m in one hundred percent condition. I’m focused. No distraction,” added Pacquiao, who just wouldn’t say it on record that he’s going for a knockout.”

“Whatever happens I will always praise God. Praise God kung ganun (if knockout happens).”

 

Pacquiao skipped his morning run because it was raining then went to church and hosted a darts tournament for his friends at his La Palazzo unit Sunday.

The place was packed with people vying for the $2,500 winner’s purse and those who just wanted to wish Pacquiao well as he moved closer and closer to the big fight.

The fighting congressman from Saranggani was in a very light mood. He likes being surrounded with friends, and hosting the dartsfest kept him busy on this lazy day.

Pacquiao, who has given up gambling, did not join the tournament.

Because the place was crowded and noisy due to the ongoing tournament, Pacquiao welcomed Pinoy scribes to his bedroom on the unit’s second floor.

But he wasn’t too generous answering the questions when downstairs he was about to give away perhaps more than $10,000 to the participants.

Marquez is already here in Los Angeles and should be in Vegas ahead of Pacquiao, in time for Tuesday’s formal arrival ceremony at the MGM.

It’s fight week in Sin City.

NOTES: So far in training camp, Manny Pacquiao has knocked down two of his sparring partners a total of four times, which only means Freddie Roach owes his boxer $4,000. At the start of training, the American trainer put up a challenge that he’d give Pacquiao a thousand bucks if he knocks any of his sparring partners down. Roach played true to his word and in one of their latest sessions he tried to hand the money over to Pacquiao. The boxer, who easily makes $25 million per fight, politely declined. “I can’t take your money. That’s my job (to knock people down). Roach can use the money somewhere else. “He just smiled but didn’t take my money. He doesn’t gamble anymore,” he said.

Pacquiao files bill creating pro boxing body

By Paolo Romero
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - World boxing idol and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has proposed the creation of a Philippine Boxing Commission (PBC) to provide and implement all necessary welfare incentives and benefits for professional boxers.

In filing House Bill 6409, Pacquiao, said the agency’s main objective is to focus on professional boxing and steer the skills and talents of young and promising boxers in the proper direction.

“Our country has produced world class boxing legends like the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, and recently the likes of Nonito Donaire Jr., Donnie Nietes, Brian Villoria and the Velasco brothers,” Pacquiao said.
“Some boxers go into retirement deprived of any kind of financial assistance or access to medical care. Most often, we hear many of our boxing heroes who had brought honor and prestige to our country retire without pension benefits,” he said.

“Boxers risk life and limb to excel in this sport. Some meet their untimely death during fights due to lack of safety and emergency medical services. It is about time that we give due attention and consideration to this sport and especially to our professional boxing champions,” he added.

The fighting congressman said the measure seeks to provide for a comprehensive health care benefits, alternative livelihood program, a system of life insurance, reliable death benefits, and other benefits for all boxers who competed and won in international boxing events.

Under the bill, all professional boxers shall be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth) to enable them to receive and avail themselves of an adequate package of personal health services including, but not limited to, in-patient hospital care, out-patient care, emergency and transfer services, and other supplementary health benefits. The cost of premium contribution and monthly contribution shall be shouldered by the agency.

Likewise, the agency shall establish an alternative livelihood training program and referral system for retired or injured international boxing champions.

The bill also provides for lump sum death benefit of P50,000 to cover funeral services and other expenses of a boxer.

Furthermore, a lifetime retirement pension of P15,000 monthly shall be accorded to professional boxers who won in any world title duly sanctioned by recognized international sporting organizations and bodies.