By Nick Giongco
LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao revealed the secret to his continued success and longevity on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) and it wasn’t actually something that has been kept under wraps for a long time.
Pacquiao, who defends the World Boxing Association welterweight title on Saturday against Adrien Broner, told reporters that his passion for the sport coupled with the right attitude towards training, are the reasons why he remains relevant going into his 18th year in the US.
“The fact that I worked so hard in training is an example for my passion for boxing. I am always looking for ways to improve. Now that I’m older I listen to my body. If I’m sore I will take an extra day to recover if I have to,” said Pacquiao, who turned 40 years old last Dec. 17.
During the formal arrival rites at the lobby of the MGM Grand, Pacquiao was warmly welcomed by his fans and his question and answer session with the media had to be cut off to allow him to rest.
Asked about the usual aches and pains associated with somebody in his 40s, Pacquiao refused to be classified into that bracket.
“I don’t feel anything even if they say that when you reach 40, you start feeling these things,” said Pacquiao, who had just turned 17 when he turned professional in January 1995 as a minimumweight (105-pounder).
In his first workout since getting here from Los Angeles, Pacquiao turned up the heat by doing five rounds with the mitts that was held by Buboy Fernandez.
A few times, Pacquiao had to be told repeatedly to slow down in his training since his trainers all agree that he is already on point and could be in danger of burning himself out.
As the temperature dipped to a low of 7 degrees with rain pouring all day and thick fog blanketing most of the city, Pacquiao turned on the heat at the Bones Adams Gym.
“Sarap mag-ensayo eh (Feels great to train),” Pacquiao told this writer as he was jumping rope.
Seconds later, Fernandez came over to take away the skipping rope so he can proceed with the crunches, the final routine before everybody calls it a day.
“If you work hard, the fight will be easy and if you don’t, you will suffer.”
That’s exactly what Pacquiao wants to happen this weekend.
