Pacquiao’s boxing gym in city now possible

WITH the victory of welterweight king Manny Pacquiao, the proposed boxing gymnasium in Baguio City may finally be realized in the months to come.

Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. said during a recent interview that he is optimistic the pound-for-pound king will reconsider his plan of setting up a world-class boxing facility in the City of Pines.

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“We’re hoping Pacquiao would reconsider his plan of building a gymnasium here. It will be a big boost to the city’s sports community,” said Bautista.

Pacquiao is said to be looking at opening a boxing gym in the Philippines’ Summer Capital after meeting several times with real estate tycoon Robert John Sobrepeña of Camp John Hay.

The two met when Pacquiao was training in Baguio for his fight against Miguel Cotto last year.

Pacquiao and Sobrepena, who is the chairman of the CJH Dev. Co., have not signed any formal agreement, but many said the partnership is already a “done deal.”

“Pacquiao’s fight against Cotto was more prepared than his last fight with Clottey and I hope Freddie Roach would once again reconsider training here in Baguio City for his upcoming fights,” Bautista added.

If it pushes through, the possible location of the gym could be at the Amphitheater area or the old theater used by the Americans in the 1970s and 1980s near the Scout Hill section inside Camp John Hay.

Baguio City is a favorite practice ground by boxers because of its thin air, which is good for building stamina and resistance.

“Baguio City has a potential of becoming a center for boxing training and surely some other sports because of the altitude,” the mayor said.