By ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW
www.nordis.net

PACQUIAO FEVER. Boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Paquiao took a brief visit at the city mayor’s office Thursday where he was mobbed by fans who sought autograph and picture taking from the world pound-for-pound champion. photo by Arthur Lapaan Allad-iw

BAGUIO CITY – At his visit to city hall, Thursday here, boxing champion Manny Paquiao told media that his lawyers are studying the possibility of filing a libel suit against Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Media abroad reported that Mayweather Sr. made allegations that Paquiao may be using steroids hence his extra-ordinary power in his recent fights.

“Pinag-aaralan ng aking mga lawyers ang posibilidad ng libel kontra kay Mayweather Sr.,” said Pacquiao, who also claimed Mayweather Sr. talks too much (madaldal).

On the other hand, coach Freddie Roach points out that his ward’s training for his fight with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, World Boxing Organization welterweight champion, is the most urgent, and at present, they must focus on it.

Coach Roach arrived this week to supervise the training of his ward here in the city to aclimatize to the altitude and temperature.

With Coach Roach and his team, Pacquiao visited the mayor’s office. He (Pacquiao) was mobbed by fans who asked autograph and pictures with the national pride. The doors of the mayor’s office had to be closed by the POSD staff while Pacquiao’s team talked with the mayor and the media past 10 A.M. that day.
Pacquiao will be in the city up to mid-October to train for his November 14 scheduled fight with Cotto in Las Vegas, Nevada. Afterwards, he will leave to the US few weeks before their scheduled fight.

Hard training
Paquiao says he needs to impose discipline on himself and train well for this fight for Cotto is strong and bigger. “Disiplina ang kailangan sa training. Malakas at malaki si Cotto kaya nag-eensayo ng mabuti,” he told journalists here.

He is also accompanied by his dietician though he watches his diet. Surveys show Paquiao is being favored on this fight with Cotto.

Coach Roach said that the city is the best area for his ward’s training. The coach said they need to watch-out for Cotto’s dangerous left hook and assured the local media that they are working on this. His sparring matches with locals, possibly three as reported, would start next week.

As to his next opponent, the three times named best coach said the fight with Cotto is their focus now and before any next opponent will be considered for his ward.

Meanwhile, Mayor Peter Rey Bautista shared with reporters here that they are extending support to Paquiao’s training, including readiness of the gymnasium and other facilities in Teachers Camp and his team’s security. # nordis.net