Pacquiao ready to rumble

HOLLYWOOD – From inside the master bedroom of his $2 million home here, Manny Pacquiao expressed his readiness to face a Cuban opponent who once won a medal in the Olympics.

“Bakbakan na (Time to fight),” said the Philippine senator on the eve of his departure for Las Vegas.

“I’m excited,” he said Sunday.

It was highly typical of the 42-year-old boxing icon, dishing out his famous one-liners when one would expect a mouthful.

Pacquiao had just finished dinner of bulalo and pampano, in his spacious bedroom, when he let a couple of Pinoy scribes inside.

There were only a handful of men with him, perhaps keeping Pacquiao company until he turns the lights out.

His wife, Jinkee, and their kids no longer stay in this normally jampacked residence in Larchmont Park. Instead, the boxer’s family is renting out a more luxurious place along Beverly – for privacy.

Pacquiao took a day-off Sunday, hearing mass in the morning and joining his family in their secret hideout for lunch and some quality time.

Only a limited number of rapid-tested guests were allowed in on this day. The fight is so close the boxer’s handlers don’t want to take the great risk letting the dreaded virus in.

Pacquiao was asked if he expects Errol Spence Jr., who pulled out of the Aug. 21 fight due to a torn retina in his left eye, to be at ringside at the T-Mobile Arena.

“Bahala siya. It’s up to him. He can watch if he wants to,” said Pacquiao, who rued the fact that Spence, the WBC and IBF welterweight champion, had to pull the plug on the potential Fight of the Year.

Yordenis Ugas, the WBA (super) welterweight champion and bronze medalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, stepped in. He gets the chance to face the bankable Filipino superstar.

“Sinayang niya (Spence) ang training ko,” said Pacquiao, not in any way trying to underestimate his new-found foe.

Pacquiao travels to Las Vegas Monday. The plan is for him to show up at the Wild Card Gym at around 10 a.m. to train, have lunch and head out in a convoy of SUVs.

The formal arrival ceremony takes place Tuesday at the MGM.

It’s fight week in Vegas.