Filipino icon takes it easy: ‘New’ Manny Vegas-bound

HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao leaves for Las Vegas this afternoon – all geared up five days before he faces old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth – and the last – time Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand.

The Filipino icon spars for the last time today at the Wild Card Gym, and by late afternoon he’d take the four-hour ride to Las Vegas with all his family and friends.

He, however, refused to comment on Freddie Roach’s statements that he’d seen the past few days is a “new” Pacquiao.

“Secret,” said Pacquiao.

He was pressed for an answer, and he replied by saying, “Secret. Puwede ko bang sabihin (Can I say it?).”

“I’m in one hundred percent condition. I’m focused. No distraction,” added Pacquiao, who just wouldn’t say it on record that he’s going for a knockout.”

“Whatever happens I will always praise God. Praise God kung ganun (if knockout happens).”

Pacquiao skipped his morning run because it was raining then went to church and hosted a darts tournament for his friends at his La Palazzo unit Sunday.

The place was packed with people vying for the $2,500 winner’s purse and those who just wanted to wish Pacquiao well as he moved closer and closer to the big fight.

The fighting congressman from Saranggani was in a very light mood. He likes being surrounded with friends, and hosting the dartsfest kept him busy on this lazy day.

Pacquiao, who has given up gambling, did not join the tournament.

Because the place was crowded and noisy due to the ongoing tournament, Pacquiao welcomed Pinoy scribes to his bedroom on the unit’s second floor.

But he wasn’t too generous answering the questions when downstairs he was about to give away perhaps more than $10,000 to the participants.

Marquez is already here in Los Angeles and should be in Vegas ahead of Pacquiao, in time for Tuesday’s formal arrival ceremony at the MGM.

It’s fight week in Sin City. 

NOTES: So far in training camp, Manny Pacquiao has knocked down two of his sparring partners a total of four times, which only means Freddie Roach owes his boxer $4,000. At the start of training, the American trainer put up a challenge that he’d give Pacquiao a thousand bucks if he knocks any of his sparring partners down. Roach played true to his word and in one of their latest sessions he tried to hand the money over to Pacquiao. The boxer, who easily makes $25 million per fight, politely declined. “I can’t take your money. That’s my job (to knock people down). Roach can use the money somewhere else. “He just smiled but didn’t take my money. He doesn’t gamble anymore,” he said.