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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

Fury-Usyk world heavyweight unification fails to push through

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Fury-Usyk world heavyweight unification fails to push through

The much-anticipated world heavyweight unification bout hit a major blow after Oleksandr Usyk’s manager Alexander Krassyuk said that it will not push through on April 29.

“No matter how much Usyk compromised, he was pushed for more,”  Krassyuk said on ESPN.

However, Tyson Fury answered back that it was Usyk to blame for the failure of the mega fight.

According to his promoter Frank Warren, the demand for a rematch clause of Usyk caused the breakdown of the fight.

“I convinced Tyson to take the rematch. Then we got into how the money will be split in the rematch. The rematch has become a sideshow. Why can’t this be overcome if Usyk wants the fight? All the splits were agreed. Who walks in first was agreed. If it’s a great fight then we will make the rematch,” Warren said in an interview with talkSPORT.

This was supposed to mark Fury’s return to boxing after initially retiring.

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BOXING

Pinoy boxer Mercito Gesta upsets former super featherweight champ Joseph Diaz

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Filipino boxer Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta got the “must-win” he needed after outworking Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in a split decision.

The 30-year-old stunned the former super featherweight champion with the judges scoring 99-91, 98-92 in favor of Gesta and a 97-93 for Diaz.

“I feel great about the outcome. We had our game plan and I listened to my corner. It was a close fight. With coach Marvin Somodio, I have learned that I can move around a lot more and I am excited to have another full training camp with him,” said Gesta after dealing Diaz his third straight defeat.

“If I were to choose my next opponent, I want William “El Camaron” Zepeda next,” he added.

The pride of Mandaue City, Cebu has a current record of 34 wins including 12 knockouts with three loses and three draws.

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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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