By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The pride of the Philippines, eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao skipped sparring for the second day in a row and only went jogging at Pan Pacific Park yesterday morning.
ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo told the krikya360.com/New Standard that Pacquiao was in the Wild Card Gym of trainer Freddie Roach when the US Anti Doping Agency technicians showed up and “extracted four vials of blood” as part of the random drug tests that both Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr are being subjected to.
Dr. Ed de la Vega, who is well-known for his excellent mouth-guards, brought a supply for Pacquiao which cost nowhere near the $25,000 mouthguards specially manufactured for Mayweather.
Top Rank publicist Fred Sternberg told us that after the USADA people took Pacquiao’s blood and urine “he didn’t seem like he wanted to train” but emphasized there is nothing to worry about because “he was faster than anybody” during his morning run and “looks great and is in terrific shape.”
Former NBA superstar Karl “The Mailman” Malone of the Utah Jazz paid Pacquiao a visit at the gym and wished him all the best in his May 2 showdown against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told us “no interviews at this time please” even as Pacquiao himself and trainer Roach also declined to give interviews to Filipino journalists who waited at the gym and later outside Pacquiao’s home.