MANILA, Philippines - Top Rank chief Bob Arum said if Manny Pacquiao wants to train in the Philippines for his April 9 fight against Timothy Bradley then let him train in the Philippines.
It’s close to the May elections and there’s concern that Pacquiao, who’s running for senator, might find it difficult to ward off his friends in politics.
Local and national officials will surely come to Pacquiao during the campaign, whether he’s at the gym to train or he’s at home to rest.
Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, said it’s advisable for Pacquiao to train the whole eight weeks in Los Angeles, away from distractions back home.
But Bob Arum said it’s up to Pacquiao.
“Manny will begin training in part in the Philippines and then in Los Angeles. That’s what he wants to do and that’s fine with me,” Arum told The STAR.
“It’s not been agreed upon but that’s what he wants. He’s an adult now. If he can’t handle it nobody can handle it for him,” Arum added.
Pacquiao normally trains eight weeks for a fight, but in recent times he split his training, the first half in the Philippines and then in LA.
At home, there are a few options, at his own MP Towers gym in the heart of Manila, the Wild Card Gym in General Santos City or high up in Baguio City.