Vintage Pacman wears out Roach in workout

MANILA, Philippines - Coach Freddie Roach was so impressed with Manny Pacquiao’s training the past two days that he wrote the boxer’s name on his ballot.

“I wrote Manny Pacquiao for President on my ballot today,” he posted on his Twitter account right during Election Day in the United States.

And why would he do that?

“(Because) If he wins he’ll stay in the US longer!” Roach said.

It must have something to do with the fact that Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles three weeks late for training in his Dec. 8 matchup with Juan Manuel Marquez.

Roach wasn’t pleased because he remembered that it was Pacquiao himself who said a couple of months ago he’d train the whole eight weeks at the Wild Card Gym.

Instead, Pacquiao trained for three weeks in General Santos City.

A report also came out that Roach fumed after Pacquiao skipped his morning run last Sunday because he stayed up late for his Bible studies the night before.

But it didn’t take long for Pacquiao to make up for it.

Last Monday, Pacquiao worked so hard at the gym that Roach had to pull him back.

“I had to hold Manny Pacquiao back. We did 13 rounds on the mitts. He wore me out. The old Manny is back,” said Roach.

“I did 13 rounds on the mitts with Freddie Roach today. I wanted to do more but he said I wore him out!” said Pacquiao in his own Twitter account.

Roach sounded so satisfied that he couldn’t help but warn Marquez for the coming fight.

“Tell Juan Manuel Marquez to learn how to duck and cover. Manny Pacquiao had a vintage workout. He ripped the gym apart today,” he said.

American publicist Fred Sternburg, always around when Pacquiao is around, said the Filipino superstar sparred eight rounds with three different sparring partners yesterday.

“Looked good,” said Sternburg.

After his workout, Pacquiao took in a very special visitor in Marco Antonio Barrera, who now works as a boxing analyst for Mexican TV boxing program Azteca.

Barrera, who lost twice to Pacquiao, interviewed his old foe.

“Fun day at Wild Card,” Pacquiao said.