Pacman begins serious training for Larios fight

Once again, it’s "Pacman Time" at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

Manny Pacquiao, the flamboyant Filipino fighter, officially began training for his July 2 fight with Mexico’s Oscar Larios in Manila when he sweated it out for seven rounds Wednesday afternoon at the Los Angeles gym.

Pacquiao arrived in the US Monday evening and, except for a quick visit at the gym owned by his American trainer Freddie Roach, spent the Tuesday resting. He showed up at the Wild Card gym shortly after lunch Wednesday.

From now on and until Pacquiao returns home probably 12 days before his 12-round fight with Larios, the Wild Card gym will be closed to the public from 1 to 3 p.m. Even those who regularly train in the gym in these hours won’t be allowed in.

There’s now a sign plastered at the gym’s main entrance: Gym Closed 1 to 3 p.m.

This is practically the same set-up used by Roach when he trained Pacquiao for the Jan. 19 fight with Erik Morales in Las Vegas. Pacquiao knocked out the Mexican in 10 rounds and set up a pivotal third match in November.

Pacquiao, who came to LA weighing around 140 lbs, has seven weeks to meet the 130 lb limit for the fight scheduled at the Araneta Coliseum, and at the same time be in tip-top shape.

In his first day of trainihg, Pacquiao did some shadow boxing and punch-mitts aside from his regular exercises, including a few rounds with the speed and double-end bags, skipping ropes and abdominal workouts.

"Ayos naman. Simula na ang heavy training. At hindi pa naman huli. Partida na sa kanya ‘yan," said Pacquiao, who flew in with his LA-based confidante Jo Ramos.

Pacquiao was met by his adoring fans at the Los Angeles International Airport. Wearing a pin-striped polo shirt and blue jeans, the boxing sensation signed some autographs and had his picture taken with his fans.

"Kayang-kaya ko magpa-kundisyon bago mag July 2," he added.

Before he left Manila, Pacquiao planned to stay in the US only until June 3, and spend the rest of his training in Baguio City where San Miguel Corp. was planning to put up a training camp for his exclusive use.

But it seems it won’t happen anymore as Pacquiao, upon Roach’s insistence, reportedly agreed to train all the way in the US, and fly back home at least 12 days before the fight.

"As long as there’s no distractions, things will be fine. There are so many distractions (in Manila). I think here he can focus and there’ll be no problems.

And we’ll keep the gym as tight as possible," added Roach.