Pacman skips workout; Gerry sees knockout

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao got stuck in traffic yesterday afternoon and missed his scheduled workout at the MP Tower Gym in Sampaloc, Manila.

Members of the press, both foreign and local, waited at the gym for over two hours until they received word that Pacquiao wasn’t coming.

Television crew had positioned themselves along the narrow street leading to the gym when told that Pacquiao, who moves around town in his black Escalade and police escorts, was on his way.

But at around 4 p.m., they were informed that Pacquiao’s convoy had turned around because of the terrible traffic and was headed back to his Forbes Park home.

In no time, everybody packed up.

Former world champion Gerry Peñalosa was among those who waited for Pacquiao inside the gym.

Peñalosa spoke to reporters and shared his thoughts on the coming fight. He sees Pacquiao knocking out Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“I see Floyd being rescued by the referee,” he said, hinting of a technical knockout.

“But it will be a tough fight for both boxers. This will be a tactical fight. In between rounds you should come up with adjustments,” Peñalosa added.

A perfect game plan is needed, according to the former two-division world champion.

“You need to have a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and Plan D,” he said.

There’s no urgency in Pacquiao missing yesterday’s workout scheduled at 2 p.m.. It’s still two full months ahead of the May 2 showdown.

Mike Koncz, the chief adviser to Pacquiao, is not worried.

“We have sufficient time,” he said.

Pacquiao was at the gym Thursday afternoon and trained for nearly two hours. This afternoon he will suit up for Kia’s PBA game against Blackwater.

If plans push through, Pacquiao flies to Los Angeles tonight to begin his training at the Wild Card Gym under Freddie Roach.

Because of the traffic, Koncz had asked trainer Buboy Fernandez to come over to Makati instead so he could work the mitts with Pacquiao.

But Fernandez said it could be a futile effort.

“It’s the same thing. I will be the one to get stuck in traffic,” he said in Filipino.

To make up for lost time at the gym, Pacquiao decided to do some late-afternoon road work inside Forbes Park.

Penalosa has also noticed that Mayweather had seemed to slow down in his last fight against Marcos Maidana.

“Parang bumagal na para tamaan siya ni Maidana. Si Maidana nagpapaalam bago sumuntok. Si Manny parang rocket. Boom,” said Peñalosa.