Koncz: No distractions for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao has no plans of abandoning his camp in General Santos City amid reports of political distractions as the fighting congressman gears up for a very crucial fight in November.

“No plans to move camp,” Pacquiao’s chief adviser, Mike Koncz, told The STAR yesterday.

A report came out of www.philboxing.com yesterday that Pacquiao, scheduled to fight Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 in Macau, is being “hounded by village leaders in Sarangani.”

The barangay elections are set Oct. 28. Boxing expert Manny Piñol wrote that barangay leaders are “asking for his (Pacquiao) financial support in their bid for local positions.”

Pacquiao is known for his legendary generosity, a go-to guy for political aspirants.

Pacquiao’s mansion in General Santos City has reportedly become a hangout for the election candidates, and the boxer is sometimes forced to stay up close to midnight.

The report also said this has already forced Pacquiao to skip his morning training sessions twice, and suggested that he might decide to move his training camp to either Baguio or Manila.

Koncz, however, said it’s not the case.

“The compound at the house is secure,” said Koncz, refuting suggestions that any Tom, Dick and Harry can just go in and out of the boxer’s sprawling property.

“Manny can control the flow of people into his property as he wishes,” said Koncz.

Pacquiao has been training in General Santos City the past two weeks now, and last Friday he began sparring against a local middleweight in Marlon Alta.

Pacquiao was in Manila during the weekend to attend to a personal commitment and is scheduled to hold training today and tomorrow at his MP Tower Gym in Sampaloc.

The fight against Rios is a very crucial one for Pacquiao. It’s a very dangerous fight considering that he’s coming off two consecutive losses.

He can’t afford any form of distraction – political or otherwise.