Pacquiao invites ABAP pugs to L.A.

MANILA, Philippines - WBO welterweight champion Rep. Manny Pacquiao has invited the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) to send fighters to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles next month when he begins training for his Nov. 13 fight likely to be against Mexico’s Antonio Margarito.

ABAP executive director Ed Picson said yesterday he called on Pacquiao in his Batasan office recently and was assured of the fighting Congressman’s support in the campaign to prepare the Filipino simonpures for the 2012 London Olympics.

Picson told Pacquiao that trainer Freddie Roach wouldn’t be available to take care of the ABAP delegation of seven male and four female fighters during a three-week US tour that kicks off with a training program supervised by University of San Francisco (USF) varsity boxing coach Angelo Merino at the Koret Health and Recreation Center this weekend.

The delegation leaves for San Francisco on a Philippine Airlines flight tonight. The team is composed of fighters Charly Suarez, Joegin Ladon, Delfin Boholst, Victorio Saludar, Gerson Nietes, Rey Saludar, Ricky Dulay, Annie Albania, Alice Kate Aparri, Nesthy Petecio and Josie Gabuco. Accompanying the fighters are coaches Pat Gaspi, Roel Velasco, Nolito Velasco and Ronald Chavez.

Picson contacted Roach directly to arrange the training at the Wild Card Gym.

“Freddie was very accommodating as always,” said Picson. “I was referred to his secretary Marie to check his schedule then I was advised to coordinate with his agent Nick Khan, a lawyer. At first, Nick told me Freddie wouldn’t be available because he was tied up with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. who was training for a fight against Pawel Wolak on Sept. 11. When Chavez’ fight was cancelled, I asked Nick if Freddie would now be available but was informed he had committed to work WBA welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko’ corner in his title defense against Charlie Jose Navarro in Ukraine on Aug. 30.”

Chavez backed out of a dangerous fight against Wolak to concentrate on his Dec. 4 appointment with Miguel Cotto for the WBA lightmiddleweight crown. Roach will work with not only Senchenko but also European featherweight titlist Oleh Yefimovych in the coming card at the Lenin Central Square.

Pacquiao told Picson that if Roach is too busy with previous commitments, he will personally oversee the ABAP fighters’ training at the Wild Card Gym.

“Cong. Manny really wants to help,” said Picson who attended the Congress’ second session with Gaspi, Roel Velasco and Chavez as Pacquiao’s guests. “He wants the fighters to train with him at the Wild Card Gym. He also promised support from the PBA Party List.”

Picson said because of Roach’s unavailability, the ABAP delegation will forego training at the Wild Card Gym for this trip and instead, compete in the Blue and Gold tournament in Maywood City near Los Angeles on Sept. 2-5. The meet is expected to draw about 200 amateur fighters in the senior, novice and open classes. Organizing the annual event is 2004 US Olympic assistant boxing coach Joe Zanders of Long Beach. USA Boxing High Performance director and recent Manila visitor Patrick Borkowski endorsed the ABAP to Zanders. The tournament will now be the climax of the US trip. Former IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and his brother Glenn fought at the Blue and Gold tournament when they were amateurs.

Picson said the seven male fighters and Gabuco will compete in the Blue and Gold tournament. Albania, Aparri and Petecio will sit out the action as they are booked to represent the country at the World Women’s Championships in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Sept. 6-19.

After training with Merino, the ABAP delegation is scheduled to work out at the state-of-the-art Undisputed Gym on Donaire’s invitation in San Carlos, a San Francisco suburb. Donaire offered the ABAP to use his 1-3 p.m. training slot at the facility and work with his conditioning coach Mike Bazzel. He also promised to provide the fighters with vitamins and health supplements for four months or until after the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Picson said Donaire’s father Dodong will host the ABAP delegation in another training camp at San Leandro. An offer was also received to train in Sacramento.

The ABAP delegation paid a courtesy call on ABAP president Ricky Vargas, newly designated Maynilad Water Services president and CEO, in his Quezon City office to bid goodbye last Tuesday.