By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) is headed to Los Angeles after completing high altitude training at Baguio Camp in the Philippines. “Pacman” will be fighting WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO’s) in their Trilogy on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

When it comes to all the arduous work required of a fighter in preparing for a fight Manny does not have to be pushed. He is known as a self starter and in fact began training for the Marquez fight days ahead of schedule. It is thought that the leg cramping Pacquiao experienced in his fight with Shane Mosley last May was a result of his over-training.

During Manny’s October 4 sparring session he inflicted a cut over Venezuelan sparring partner Jorge Linares left eye. Linares will be fighting Antonio DeMarco on October 15 for the WBC lightweight title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

In the final sparring session between Pacquiao and Linares at Baguio, “Pacman” allowed Antonio to attempt to hit him while he practiced avoiding the blows simply by employing his footwork. After the sparring session with Linares, Pacquiao spent ten rounds mitt training with trainer Freddie Roach in the process of developing a strategy to defeat Marquez.

Both Roach and Pacquiao feel that Manny is nearing his level of speed and strength in preparation for the Marquez fight. Those around “Pacman” can feel the infectious excitement building ahead of the huge fight.

Pacquiao will be training at Freddie Roach’s famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood for four weeks prior to the fight with Marquez.

Roach feels that he has better control of events surrounding the Filipino icon at Wild Card and is better able to avoid the distractions that plague Manny in the Philippines.
Pacquiao is a world wide celebrity but in his native Philippines his popularity reaches almost mythical proportions.

It is difficult for many Americans to comprehend the reverence Pacquiao’s people have for the Sarangani Congressman. But to Manny it is all about giving back to his people. Despite all his success in the ring Pacquiao has not forgotten that he came from the poverty stricken streets of his homeland. Time and again Manny has said that he does not want to forget where he came from.

Immediately after the Marquez fight Pacquiao will be heading back to Baguio to lead a marathon fund raiser for the victims of two typhoons that struck Luzon last week. Manny now more than ever wants to give back to the people who have been behind him from the beginning.