MACAU – Manny Pacquiao’s last day at the gym Thursday afternoon went along nice and easy but got a little turbulent in the end.
The reigning WBO welterweight champion looked sharp, his punches short and crisp, and ready for Sunday’s big event against the undefeated Chris Algieri.
Pacquiao did just a handful rounds on the mitts with Freddie Roach then did the stuff that only looked ordinary for an elite athlete like him.
On top of the ring, when training was over, Pacquiao messed around a little bit, and tried mimicking the way Algieri throws his punches.
Pacquiao was in a jolly mood.
Pacquiao begged for another round with Roach who was in one corner waiting to train the other fighter he has in Sunday’s card, Mexico’s Antonio de Marco.
“No,” Roach said, shooing Pacquiao away.
Cameras, both video and still, were in Pacquiao’s face as he skipped ropes and worked on the speedball. As he cooled down, people surrounded him.
Pacquiao took off his shirt carrying the logo of a coffee brand and changed into a fresh one. He faced the mirrored wall and checked his body.
Pacquiao is ready to fight – as he’d always been.
Roach said there’s no problem with the weight and said it’s perhaps Algieri who’s having some problem or difficulty with his.
Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times, always around when Pacquiao fights, asked the Filipino champion how he was.
“One-hundred percent,” was the short answer.
“Because I see the fire in my eyes,” Pacquiao added.
The training session was about to close when Roach noticed the presence of persons whom he had suspected of working for Team Algieri.
Roach had them booted out of the gym.
Those who were still in the gym then said Roach had accused the two ladies had shown Algieri footages of Pacquiao’s training last Wednesday.
Roach must have gathered some info from someone with access to the Algieri camp.