Pacman in tip-top shape for Marquez

LOS ANGELES – After a tough workout that included a six-round sparring session at the Wild Card Gym, Manny Pacquiao sat down to a hearty dinner of rice, beef, vegetables and chicken soup beside strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza on a table laid out in his merchandise-tattoo store in a strip mall on Vine Street here last Saturday.

A crowd gathered outside the store which is in the same strip mall as the Wild Card Gym but security was strict in allowing only staff, family and close friends to watch Pacquiao in training. During dinner, he was in high spirits, chatting with confidant Rex (Wakee) Salud, greeting well-wishers and even speaking with lawyer Romy Macalintal on the phone. Pacquiao signed autographs after his meal.

“I’m in the best shape of my career, like how I felt for the (Oscar) de la Hoya fight,” he said. Pacquiao nodded when asked to confirm trainer Freddie Roach’s observation that not since training for Miguel Cotto in 2009 had he knocked down a sparmate. And over the last few weeks, he has scored four knockdowns, mercilessly mauling two sparmates. Pacquiao also said this will be his last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, insinuating the outcome will be decisive and make an extension of the quadrilogy an academic exercise.

The interest for the fourth bout between Pacquiao and Marquez is escalating with the showdown only a week away. Roach said Pacquiao wanted a “closed” workout that afternoon but Wild Card security chief Rob Peters had his hands full keeping away the fans. Peters managed to restrict entrance to media, at least during the sparring. “It was tough,” said Peters. “I know this happens just twice a year when Manny fights but that’s Manny. We’re here to secure him and give him space for his workouts.”

Ariza declined to comment on Pacquiao’s conditioning regimen, saying it will show in the fight. Pacquiao has eliminated Ariza’s usual plyometric and isometric drills from his workouts after complaining of pain in his lower back and legs. At dinner, Ariza appeared to supervise Pacquiao’s diet as he has a nutrition background. 

“Let’s respect Marquez,” said Ariza. “He’s coming in prepared and so is Manny. It’s not fair to accuse Marquez of taking steroids. Give credit to Marquez for training hard. We should be sporting about this. I think it will be an interesting fight. Manny has to be busy every round. Marquez can’t knock out Manny but he can steal the decision and that’s why Manny has to be aggressive. It could end up to be another close contest but I hope not.”

Pacquiao’s long-time cornerman Buboy Fernandez said whatever style Marquez brings into the ring, he’ll lose. He said Pacquiao is prepared to handle any eventuality----whether Marquez comes forward or counter-punches. “There’s no way Manny will lose,” said Fernandez.

Salud, who is fighting a disqualification move in his bid to run for mayor of Cordova in Mactan, said Pacquiao can’t afford to lose steam if the fight goes the distance. “In the (Timothy) Bradley fight, Manny didn’t throw as many punches in the last three rounds,” said Salud. “Still, he should’ve won but the judges gave it to Bradley. Against Marquez, he can’t afford to throw away rounds by not being active. If the fight is close, Manny will need every round to make sure he wins the decision.” Salud, however, didn’t discount the possibility of Pacquiao stopping Marquez.