Saturday, February 03, 2007 Manny may train alongside Oscar By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
THERE is a big possibility that Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao may train in Puerto Rico alongside Oscar dela Hoya as both fighters prepare for their respective ring battles ahead of them.
This developed after Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's famed American trainer, had indicated the Filipino fighter is always welcome to train and prepare for his coming bout in Puerto Rico if he wants to.
Pacquiao is slated to face Korean slugger Injin Chi in April, but will have to contend training under assistant coaches after Roach decided to train Dela Hoya for his own big fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the super welterweight title on May 5 in Las Vegas.
Although he agreed to train dela Hoya, Roach hade made it clear that he is not totally abandoning Pacquiao.
In fact, the American guru wanted Pacquiao to hit the Wild Card Gym before he travels to Puerto Rico for the dela Hoya training session.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, isn't about to shop around for a new trainer in his coming fight with Chi.
Top Rank boss Bob Arum is expected to formally announce the Pacquiao-Chi fight soon.
"I told Manny that I would train him here for the month of February, and then when I have to go to Puerto Rico, I have everything set up for him with Justin Fortune, and my other assistants," Roach told boxing website Fightnews.com in a recent interview.
"If Manny wants to come to Puerto Rico with me, he is more than welcome to do that. Justin is very capable of maintaining camp, and keeping Manny focused," Roach added.
Roach had earlier declared he won't be leaving Pacquiao and train other fighters if the Filipino boxer has a coming bout.
But when Roach's decision to accept dela Hoya's offer broke out, Filipino fans had wondered where Pacquiao is headed from now on.
Roach provided the answer himself.
"I talked to Manny, he told me 'no problem coach, congratulations,' so there will be no problems, and I look forward to getting him ready for his fight against In Jin Chi, if that fight does happen," Roach told Fightnews.com.
Roach also promised to be in Pacquiao's corner when he fights Chi.
