Manny Pacquiao is working out at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to prepare for his WBC International superfeatherweight title defense against unbeaten Mexican mystery man Jorge Solis in San Antonio on April 14 while Cecil Mamiit is girding his loins for the Philippines’ Asia/Oceania Group II semifinal Davis Cup tie against New Zealand in Auckland on April 6-8.
It was PBL commissioner and GMA-7 sports reporter Chino Trinidad who got Pacquiao and Mamiit together during a visit to L. A. last week. The fighter and the tennis ace often meet up early morning to jog side by side on the hilly 4,017-acre terrain of Griffith Park where the famous Hollywood sign is seen for miles on Mount Lee.
Mamiit, who won two gold medals for the country at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, told The STAR the other day a normal person would be in severe pain doing the exercises that Pacquiao does in the gym.
"Manny’s training is very intense," said Mamiit who leaves L. A. with doubles partner Eric Taino for Auckland Friday night. "There is a routine to everything he does. It’s hard but very effective. He religiously follows the routine. His support group is really pushing him. Manny breezes through his ab workouts, for instance, even if they aren’t easy."
Mamiit said watching Pacquiao in the gym is an inspiration.
"It’s an experience to see first hand what a fighter goes through," said Mamiit. "I watched him work the pads with (trainer) Justin Fortune, throwing combinations. Justin is protective of who watches Manny’s workouts. I’m impressed with Manny’s hand and foot speed. He’s super fast. His legs are really strong. He has a quick bounce to his step. Training with Manny, I hope, will raise my endurance and work ethic to the highest level that I’ve never achieved so that I can do great things this year. This is all crossed fingers, of course. I’m very much motivated by the support Eric and I have received from Filipino fans. It makes me want to continue growing. It’s a feeling that athletes live for. It makes me feel I’m accomplishing something for myself, the fans and the country."
Mamiit said he admires Pacquiao for the honor he brings to the Philippines through sports.
"Manny brings respect to the Philippines and that’s what Eric and I are trying to do," said Mamiit. "I’ve watched Manny’s fights. It’s all about heart. He’s very determined to win and he’ll never back down from anything. Manny’s all heart."
Mamiit joined Pacquiao for another jog Thursday.
Last Tuesday, Mamiit and Taino ran ahead of Pacquiao at Griffith Park but despite the head start, the fighter caught up in the end.
"Eric and I saw Manny on our way down from the top of the park," said Mamiit. "We finished the run in about 47 minutes. Manny did it in 38, beating his old record of 42. After his run, Manny even did some ab workouts which were punishing."
Outside the gym, Mamiit said Pacquiao is a regular guy. "Once, we had a light snack with Manny and his group at the Thai restaurant near the gym after a workout," said Mamiit. "His friends and support group did most of the talking and joking around. Manny seemed to keep to himself – that’s because he’s so focused. He was the perfect host, very generous, passing food around and making sure everyone had enough to eat."
Another thing that Mamiit noticed was Pacquiao’s car. He drove a sleek top-down 2007 Mercedes SL 550.