Team Pacquiao turns sentimental as Manny fights final bout

 

With only a few days to go before eight division champion Manny Pacquiao goes up the ring for what could be his final bout, members of Team Pacquiao waxed sentimental as they walked down memory lane, reminiscing their journey with the "Pambansang Kamao".

“Marami na kaming pinagdaanan. Kung ikuwento ko lahat, baka maiyak tayo,” Pacquiao’s assistant trainer, Buboy Fernandez told GMA News reporter Mav Gonzales.

Buboy Fernandez (right) on the ring with Pacquiao

Buboy and his brother Roger are the ones who usually attend to the ring icon's needs when he's in training.

Buboy said Pacquiao has always been selfless and kind to his team members.

“Ni kailan di ko nakita na tinaas niya paa niya sa lupa. Kung ano kami noon, ganoon pa rin ang ugali niya. Kahit huling pera niya na yun sa wallet niya, ibibigay niya. Makita lang niyang ngumiti yung tao okay na siya,” Buboy said.

Roger said it would really be sad when Pacquiao finally takes his final bow in the world of boxing.

“Mami-miss ko yung mga kalokohan, ‘yung ganitong gigising nang maaga tapos training. Syempre mam-imiss namin yon. ‘Di naman kami makakapunta sa America kung walang boxing,” Roger said.

Members of Team Pacquiao walk with Manny as he cools down after training

Roger shared his most memorable Pacquiao match, which is the boxing champ’s fight with Oscar Dela Hoya.

“Kasi malaki yon, parang David and Goliath. Hindi namin akalain na mana-knock out namin siya,” Roger said.

Pacquiao’s legacy will be left in as far as the four corners of the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California, where he first stepped on 15 years ago.

Inside the walls of the now historical gym, new boxing champs will be honed and trained. Pictures of Pacquiao and hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach lined the interiors of the gym.

Then rising ring star Pacquiao with trainer Freddie Roach (right)

Roach said he will always be by Pacquiao’s side and that there is always reason for him to visit Philippines.

“If this is the last fight, I'm sure I'll still go to the Philippines for his birthday and stuff. We'll be friends forever, that's for sure,” Roach said.

The boxing coach said he will continue to train young boxers.

Asked if there will be another boxer like Pacquiao, he said, “Never. 8-Division
World Champion? Not in this lifetime.”

Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley Jr. for the third time on Sunday. — Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/APG, GMA News