Freddie's Pinoy assistant trainer foresees smooth sailing

LAS VEGAS – Trainer Freddie Roach’s Filipino assistant Marvin Somodio is slowly getting adjusted to life in the US after arriving three weeks ago and doesn’t anticipate any problem in WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao retaining his crown against Timothy Bradley Jr. in a 12-round title bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here this morning (Manila time).

Somodio, 28, will not be in Pacquiao’s corner for the fight. Designated for the fight are chief second Roach, strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez in Pacquiao’s corner and cutman Miguel Diaz on the floor. Early tomorrow morning before the crack of dawn, Roach will fly to Syracuse on a chartered jet plane, costing about $26,000, to attend his induction in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.

“I won’t be going with Freddie to his induction,” said Somodio. “I’ll go back to Los Angeles with Manny. By then, Freddie will be back from New York. But Freddie leaves again for El Paso, Texas, to work with WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his title defense against Andy Lee. While he’s gone, I’ll help out Amir (Khan) who’s fighting Danny Green for the WBC lightwelterweight title in Mandalay Bay on July 14. I’ve done mitts with Amir so I know his style. We worked together in Baguio for a week before Freddie arrived.” Green wrested the crown from Erik Morales last March.

At first, Roach said Somodio seemed to be allergic to the US. Somodio’s application for a tourist visa was denied twice by the US Embassy but on the third try, he was cleared after claiming P1 status. He said he will stay in the US until after the Khan fight. Depending on Roach, he could apply for a visa extension.

Somodio broke out into hives in his first week in Los Angeles. He got over it quickly with medication from Roach’s girlfriend Dr. Maya Matthews who is in the staff of the Presbyterian Hollywood Medical Center. When Somodio landed in Las Vegas last Monday, the hives came back. But he’s allergy-free at the moment.

“Freddie, his secretary (Marie Spivey) and Dr. Matthews are really taking care of me,” said Somodio. “I’m really proud to do work with Freddie. At Manny’s press conference with Bradley last Tuesday, Mr. (Bob) Arum introduced me as Freddie’s assistant but got my name wrong. He called me Marvin Sonsona. But I can’t complain because Mr. Arum referred to Nonito Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin as Cameron Diaz. When I go back to Los Angeles, I’ll stay in a hotel right next to the Wild Card Gym.”