By Nick Giongco
Australian conditioning coach Justin Fortune is going ahead of Manny Pacquiao and his team to set the stage for the Filipino star’s arrival in Los Angeles this Saturday, exactly four weeks before the Adrien Broner fight.
Fortune is flying out of Manila tomorrow so he can get his sweat shop in Hollywood – Fortune Gym – ready in case things don’t work out over at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card on Vine Street, a few blocks from Fortune’s on Sunset.
“It’s a Plan B so I have to go ahead and get it ready,” said Fortune, who no longer feels comfy working at the Wild Card.
Buboy Fernandez, whose role has been elevated to lead trainer, shares the same sentiments with Fortune but has promised his childhood friend that he will act as a professional.
Roach, who had served as chief trainer since June 2001, was still tapped by Pacquiao but his role has been greatly diminished with Fernandez now running the show.
Pacquiao is heading to the US this weekend after spending the first four weeks in Manila and General Santos City.
During the Philippine leg of the buildup, Pacquiao sparred mostly with undefeated Australian lightweight George Kambosos, who will join the trip.
But once the US camp gets going, Kambosos will be joined by Lydell Rhodes in sparing with Pacquiao.
