MANILA, Philippines – Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, seeking redemption from back-to-back losses, is set to kick off his two-month training in his hometown of General Santos City in preparation for his fight against Brandon Rios in November.
In a column he personally wrote in Philboxing.com, Pacquiao said he is ready to banish the ghost of a devastating sixth-round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.
The fighting congressman, however, couldn’t hide the pain brought by the biggest defeat of his career.
“Alam kong marami ang nalungkot at nadismaya sa aking pagkatalo noong isang taon at ito rin ay nagbigay sa akin ng matinding hinagpis dahil hindi ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na maiwagayway ang ating bandera sa ibabaw ng ring. (I know that many got sad and frustrated in my loss last year, something that also gave me tremendous sorrow because I didn’t have a chance to wave our flag atop the ring),†Pacquiao wrote.
He stressed that losing is familiar territory for him, having been defeated four times in his career prior to the Marquez loss. In February last year, he lost to Timothy Bradley in a controversial decision.
“Marami ang naiyak at kahit ako rin ay lubhang nadismaya kahit na maganda naman ang naipakita natin sa laban. Talagang ganyan minsan ang sports, may nananalo, may natatalo, at hindi na ito bago sa akin. (Many cried and even I got frustrated even though I did well in the fight. That’s sports, there’s a winner, there’s a loser, and this is not new to me),†Pacquiao wrote.
“Hindi lang minsan sa aking buhay na natikman ko ang pait ng pagkabigo sa ibabaw at maging sa labas ng ring. Nalasap ko ang pait ng pagkatalo ngunit hindi ito naging sagabal sa pagbabalik at paghangad ng mas mataas pang mga pangarap. (It’s not just once in my life that I’ve failed inside and even outside the ring. I experienced the bitter taste of defeat but it hasn’t been a hurdle to coming back and reaching higher dreams),†added Pacquiao.
Pacquiao then proceeded to narrate how he’s been staying in shape by playing basketball in General Santos City, where he is expected to spend his entire training period.
Meanwhile, Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach is expected to plane in soon to join his ward.
For his part, Pacquiao assured his fans that he is out to regain his old, fiery form, one that enabled him to win world titles in eight divisions.
“With God on our side and a more solid faith in Him more than ever, I believe that we will once again rise to the top. Walang madali lalung-lalo na sa sport na boksing at wala ring shortcuts. (There are no shortcuts in boxing),†he said.
Dito na po ako tumanda sa larangang ito at lubos kong nababatid ang sakripisyo na dapat kong ibigay muli. Para sa mga nawalan ng pag-asa, gagawin ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya upang maghanda at manumbalik muli ang apoy na lumalagablab sa aking puso upang magwagi sa ibabaw ng ring. (I’ve been in the sport all my life and I understand the sacrifice I need to make. For those who have lost hope, I will do my best to prepare and bring back fire in my belly to win),†he added.
Pacquiao and Rios will clash on Nov. 24 at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China.