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Distraction? Call Pacquiao\’s growing entourage extra motivation

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https://manilastandard.net/sports/pacquiao-mania/298416/distraction-call-pacquiao-s-growing-entourage-extra-motivation.html

Manny Pacquiao thrives in big moments. Enjoying the support and company of those around him, the emotional, spiritual backing he has received from fans fuel him in every big fight.

With every clap and cheer, especially from his fellow kababayans during his many mythic matches abroad, the PacMan has ridden the faith placed on him by the millions of Filipinos around the globe.

And the eight-time world champion knows for the 71st time this coming July 20 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the throng of supporters won’t let him down.

The obvious reason? Even in training the faithful follow.

\”I want to have people around so that I\’m motivated,” Pacquiao said in an interview with AFP during his training camp in Los Angeles.

The camp, which continued from Manila, is now kicking in high gear as Pacquiao is putting in all the work in the six-week training camp. Pacquiao will be looking to deal Keith Thurman Jr.’s first pro defeat, banking on extra motivation as the man opposite him inside the squared circle in less than a month’s time vowed to “retire” the fighting Senator. But before looking into finishing the fight next month, Pacquiao looks to finish the sumptuous meal prepared for him by Pinoy chefs in his home LA.

\”My feeling is that I don\’t want anybody to see me being lazy. I want to impress them every day. I love it, as long as it\’s not distracting me or affecting my training,” he said in between hearty portions of grilled meat, rice, and broth.

Being the people person that he is, Pacquiao says that the buzz energizes him. For him, this is all but an added boost, but those in his closest corner may have qualms about all the frenzy.
\”A lot of it is support, a lot of it is they want to be on TV or something,\” said legendary trainer Freddie Roach. \”But it works for him. He knows how to get in shape and he does it very, very well.”

\”Manny\’s a nice guy. He likes to help people. I always say that\’s why he might be broke when he\’s through. Because he gives it all away. He\’s just too generous,” Roach quipped.

Waking up early in his LA mansion, which has been the headquarters of his California base camp in the past 10 years, Pacquiao prepares before dawn every day for his bout.
Along with the progressing intensity in training, Pacquiao does some cardio over the hills of Hollywood alongside around two dozen training partners, his security details, and of course, friends, and fans.

With only a couple of weeks left in training and until one of the biggest fights of the year unfolds, Pacquiao has already honed his training regimen to near perfection. And a little crowd here and there will do nothing to break the Pacman’s concentration coming into the fight.
During a workout some time back, a crowd of around 100 people, composed of a majority of LA-based Filipinos, gathered to watch the eight-division world champion do back-bending exercises, a series of pushups, sit-ups, crunches and all the things ordinary folks could only dream of doing.

Among the camera flashes, the Pacman still keeps a radiant smile, occasionally checking his phone or chatting up with some of the people in the crowd.
Call it a distraction, call it an excess factor, but Pacquiao loves the attention.
It can be said then, that the 40-year-old Filipino boxing icon has a lot in his mind, but one thing is for sure up on that list: capturing the American Thurman’s WBA super world welterweight crown come July 20.

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BOXING

Francis Nganou vs. Deontay Wilder IS HAPPENING!!?

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Francis Nganou vs. Deontay Wilder IS HAPPENING!!?

An all-time explosive heavyweight boxing match is nearing its deal as UFC heavyweight
world champion Francis Nganou revealed that he is closing in to a Deontay Wilder
boxing match!
The Cameroonian left the MMA scene after a failed contract negotiations and chose a
boxing switch.
He has been very vocal about it and has his eyes on Anthony Joshua and Deontay
Wilder, but the latter is in deeper talks with him.
“Yes, we have had the conversation and at this moment, we’re more closer than with
anybody else,” he said in MMA Hour.
Nganou also predicted a bold on if the fight come into fruition.
“I think somebody will take somebody’s head off. I would just try [for it] not to be mine. I
think that’s probably what’s going to happen.”
Ngannou started boxing training at the age of 22, against his family’s initial opposition.
Ngannou stopped working out after a year of training because of an illness. He worked
a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet until deciding to move to Paris, France, at the
age of 26 in order to pursue a career in boxing. He was imprisoned for two months in
Spain for trespassing after arriving in Europe, though. Ngannou arrived in Paris without
any money, friends, or a place to stay. He first encountered Francis Carmont, who
introduced him to Fernand Lopez and the MMA factory, after he had spent time
homeless on the streets of Paris.
Ngannou, an admirer of Mike Tyson, first wanted to learn how to box; however, Lopez
recognized his potential in MMA and persuaded him to give MMA a try. Ngannou’s MMA
career was launched when Lopez handed him some MMA equipment and free use of
the facility to train and sleep.
With such background, Ngannou will finally has his chance to fight for the sport he first
loved. Will he be able to make a resounding boxing debut or will Deontay “the Bronze
Boomer” will welcome him in the sport in a brutal way he only know how?

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BOXING

Pacquiao eyeing pro boxer comeback says camp

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Pacquiao eyeing pro boxer comeback says camp

Boxing’s only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is reportedly considering a comeback to fight in the welterweight division.

MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons revealed the possible move of PacMan on ESPN.

The Filipino icon eyes Conor Benn, a British star, to be his opponent tentatively in June.

He last fought in 2022 against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition fight where he won via unanimous decision after six rounds.

Pacquiao formally announced his retirement to boxing in the same year after he decided to run for the President seat of the Philippines.

He has a pro record 62 wins, eight losses, and two draws, and undeniably one of the greatest ever in the sport of boxing.

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BOXING

Naoya Inoue eyes Stephen Fulton’s unified super bantamweight belts

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A true “monster” as Inoue TKOs Donaire in rematch

After successfully unifying all bantamweights belts to become the undisputed champion, Naoya Inoue is set to conquer another division as he eyes to steal Stephen Fultons’ unified super bantamweight belts on their upcoming May 7 bout in Yokohama, Japan.

Inoue, dubbed as The Monster, has been living up to the hype to continue improving his already impressive career of 24 wins from 21 knockouts and no defeat.

At 29 years old, in the prime of his career, Inoue is now looking to add more belts on his waist and be the new pound-for-pound king. He currently ranks second behind Canelo Alvarez.

Meanwhile, Fulton is not to take lightly as the no. 1 boxer in the super bantamweight class is also unbeaten after 21 fights with eight knockouts.

Interesting to see is how weight will affect Inoue’s performance against Fulton who will be fighting in his own division.

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