Pacman back in the grind

MANILA, Philippines -  Manny Pacquiao did the usual grind yesterday, going out for a morning run and then reporting for an afternoon gym session before attending to his senatorial duties.

The 38-year-old boxing superstar marked his second day at the Elorde Gym at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, eight weeks ahead of this WBO welterweight title clash against Jeff Horn in Brisbane.

“Sakto lang (Right on). Eight weeks,” said Pacquiao as he wrapped up a two-hour gym session witnessed by a handful of visitors.

He did seven rounds with the mitts with Pinoy trainer Buboy Fernandez and another hour with the heavy bag, the speed ball, skipping ropes and the usual abdominal exercises, as supervised by longtime training assistant Nonoy Neri.

Pacquiao, the reigning world champion at 147 pounds, jogged around his residence in Forbes Park in Makati a little past 8 a.m. then headed to the gym at around 1 p.m.

From the gym, Pacquiao headed to the Senate for a session that was to start at 5 p.m.

It was a very busy day for the eight-division champion, who had to skip a lunch meeting for former senator Bongbong Marcos and another event at the Philippine Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in the afternoon.

“Training na ulit,” said Pacquiao, not in any way taking the 29-year-old and undefeated challenger lightly as they both gear up for their July 2 clash at the 55,000-seat Suncorp Stadium.

“Light training pa lang,” added Pacquiao during a brief pause in training.

He expects Freddie Roach to arrive in the country two weeks from now, just in time for the last four or five weeks of training.

Senate takes another long break from June to July 24, giving the fighting senator all the space he needs as he prepares for his first fight of the year.

Once the Senate goes on break, Pacquiao said he’s looking at moving his training camp to General Santos City so he can train and spend time with his family at the same time.

“Eksakto talaga ang schedule ng fight,” said Pacquiao, who had vowed not to let boxing interfere with his duties as a senator.

Because of his legislative duties, Pacquiao said he did not really push for May 20 as the date of his fight.

“Nag-promise ako sa tao (I made a vow to the people). Kaya mas okay na ang July na fight na naka-recess ang senado,” he said.