HOLLYWOOD – The bright lights of Las Vegas await boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, who is expected to arrive in “Sin City” on Monday night (Tuesday morning in Manila).

The 30-year-old boxing superstar is scheduled to travel to Vegas Monday in what should be a super-busy timetable for him.

An hour roadwork will have Pacquiao up on his feet early in the morning, before he does the final sparring session of his eight-week training that brought his entourage from the mountains of the Cordilleras in Baguio City to the cool California weather here.

Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican bomber Miguel Cotto. Top Rank photo“Mag-spar pa mga three or four rounds na lang siguro,” said assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez of the scheduled sparring that will bring to 153 the rounds of sparring Pacquiao has had in the last two months as he prepares for his Nov. 14 showdown with world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto

“Puro pababa na lang. Maintain na ng condition,” said the boxing idol.

Then, it’s off to Vegas.

Team Pacquiao in full force

A convoy of vehicles is expected to accompany the Pacman – riding on his reliable black SUV – on the six-hour, 250-mile road trip from here to the world’s so-called “Gambling Capital.”

Towing behind him are trainer Freddie Roach, conditioning coach Alex Ariza, along with family members that include wife Jinkee, his mother Dionisia, father Rosalio, members of the media, and other close friends.

Also traveling with the group is the colorful, customized Manny Pacquiao bus provided by Top Rank Promotions that has become a staple in all of the Filipino’s fights of since the “Dream Match” with Oscar De La Hoya last year.

Pacquiao is expected to arrive just before midnight in Las Vegas, where he will stay in his traditional 60th floor suite at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.

Cotto already there

Cotto, the 29-year-old native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, has already been in the state of casino and entertainment as early as last week and has been billeted at the MGM Grand along with his group that included trainer Joe Santiago, conditioning coach Phi Landman and best friend Brian Perez.

On Tuesday, Top Rank holds the formal arrival rites of the two boxing stars, with Pacquiao first to appear at the lobby of the MGM Hotel, followed by Cotto about an hour later.

Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels said the final press conference for the sold-out match dubbed “Firepower” is set Wednesday at the Hollywood Theater (Thursday in Manila), while the official weigh-in is on Friday at the Grand Garden Arena (Saturday in Manila).

Jogging on a rest day

While Sunday is usually rest day, Pacquiao insisted on doing his morning jog at the La Brea Park, just a block away from his high-end Palazzo apartment.

After taking a quick shower and brief rest, the reigning pound-for-pound king proceeded to attend a mass at the Christ The King Church, before heading back for home where he had lunch with family members.

Pacquiao spent the afternoon practicing with his band that will perform during the post-fight party set after the 12-round title bout.

Finally, he called it a day. – GMANews.Tv

SOURCE: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/176591/pacquiao-off-to-las-vegas-for-training-windup

In his fight against David Diaz, HBO analyst Larry Merchant made a comment about Manny Pacquiao’s improved right fist saying that the once one-handed Filipino bomber used to only have the “left stuff” but has added the “right stuff” now. 

HBO’s ringside scorecard judge Harold Lederman who was also observing the fight said,

“I can’t remember a southpaw who can throw four, five right hands before he pulls his right hand back. Incredible! He throws a hook, a jab, an uppercut right before he pulls his hand back. It’s amazing. Roy Jones used to do it with a left hand but this kid is amazing with that right hand.”

Well that was more than a year ago. After proving it’s potency against Ricky Hatton when he tasted “Manila Ice” (the name Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach gave for the right hook) in the first round that knocked the British star down last May, Pacquiao’s right hand is looking more lethal than ever. Insiders I have spoken to who have witnessed Pacquiao’s training sessions this week  have told me that Pacquiao unleashes his right more often and at more angles than ever before similar to what he did in the Diaz fight. In this Youtube video below, Pacquiao sent his trainer’s mitts flying with a swift right.

Roach has worked hard to improve Pacquiao’s right hand and is the main reason of the fighter’s ascension as the best fighter in the game. His opponents can’t expect devastating punches from one angle anymore as Pacquiao has proven his right can equally blow away his opponent. But against Cotto, it might very well be the fastest and strongest we’ll ever see the punch hit.

Also, Pacquiao’s right knee is said to be just fine. Roach and strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza have not changed anything with their routines and that the appearance of the black knee brace on Pacquiao’s right knee is not more than precautionary measure. And with the way Pacquiao is moving and shaping up, I have a feeling we will see the best Pacquiao yet on November 14.

SOURCE: http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m11d2-Pacquiaos-Rights-Right-hand-looking-dynamite-No-injury-to-right-knee