MANILA, Philippines - Kung mayroon mang Pinoy na naging malaki ang impluwensya kay Filipina world boxing champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, ito ay si Manny Pacquiao.
Ayon kay Julaton, ang bagong International Boxing Association (IBA) female super bantamweight titlist, malaki ang naitulong ng kanyang pagsasanay sa Wild Card Boxing Gym ni trainer Freddie Roach kung saan niya nakasabay si Pacquiao.
“When I spent time around Pacquiao and Roach in their camp, it taught me so much about the fight game,” wika ni Julaton.
Tinalo ni Julaton si American Kelsey Jeffries via majority decision sa kanilang 10-round fight para sa bakanteng IBA female super bantamweight crown noong Setyembre 12 sa HP Pavilion sa San Jose, California.
Si Filipino trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr., ama ni world flyweight king Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, ang naging cornerman ni Julaton sa naturang panalo kay Jeffries.
Ayon sa 29-anyos na si Julaton, dadalhin niya ang natutunan niyang mga leksyon mula sa pakikipagsabayan kay Pacquiao.
“It also taught me how to balance the whole lifestyle, as I was able to see how Manny carried himself in a personable way behind the scenes, yet was always gracious when dealing with those who supported him,” wika ni Julaton kay Pacquiao. “From his work ethic to his playful side, I just felt a need to just soak it all in.”
Nakatakdang idepensa ng 5-foot-5 na si Julaton, ipina-nganak sa San Francisco, California, ang kanyang IBA belt sa Disyembre 4 sa HP Pavilion. (Russell Cadayona)