Pacquiao’s team at Hollywood gym
Manny Pacquiao is set to face Antonio Margarito this Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium for their highly-anticipated showdown in Arlington, Texas. Before the superstar pair flew to the Lone Star state, the two punchers held open workouts for the media in Los Angeles.
It was at this recent workout held at the end of October that I had the opportunity to catch up with a few of the guys at the gym. In these snapshots from the day, check out the scene and hear the report from their L.A. gym before the team headed off to Texas.
Arriving at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, I noticed PacMan’s loyal fans swarming the perimeter of the building waiting for the arrival of the seven-division World Champ. Literally located above a laundromat, this gym is arguably the most infamous boxing gym ever.
Even before entering the hallowed grounds of this house of champions, I saw a few familiar faces. While still in the parking lot, I ran into manager and cornerman Steve Feder and his fighter NABO and NABF Champion Lateef “Power” Kayode. The Nigerian cruiserweight (13-0, 12 KOs) is scheduled to fight December 3 and Feder and his Standing Eight Management have high hopes for this talented and unbeaten 
slugger.
I next greeted veteran boxer and current trainer Sammy “The Toy” Stewart who jumped in to help sort out the long line of vehicles attempting to enter the parking lot. The Liberian flyweight fought in the 1988 Seoul Olympics; Sammy still loves the sport and is a fixture at the gym. As top security man Rob did his usual great job keeping of things under control, the visitors continued to stream in.
Heading up the stairs, I said hello to Marie Spivey, one of the best in the game who’s invaluable to both trainer Freddie Roach and the gym, and also to boxing photographer Miguel Salazar, who has captured amazing images of not only Pacquiao, but also of many of the Wild Card fighters. On this day, the lensman from Los Mochis had his work cut out for him as the crowd continued to grow. As I watched the friendly photog help keep a lookout on everything, I told him his new nickname today is “The Enforcer” since I saw him walk back on forth “on patrol” while keeping a watchful eye on the massive build-up of bodies crammed around the ring.
With the worldwide attention given to this clash for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Middleweight Championship, it’s no surprise that media from all over converged at the most famous gym in the universe. As photographers, camera crews, journalists and others all jostled for space, I saw another boxing pal, photographer, cornerman and mouth piece doctor, Dr. Ed de da Vega. And Dr. Ed has one of the most important jobs of all in the camp–he makes Manny’s custom gum shield. The amiable dentist who protects PacMan’s teeth, gums and jaw took me to meet some of the team, including assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez. The Pinoy power crew were relaxing in a quiet corner before all the activity began. They are surely used to all the hype and frenzy that now accommodates the Filipino Congressman/Singer/Superstar Boxer.
Another pair that are battle-tested and accustomed to the widespread attention that these mega fights bring are Freddie Roach and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who both held court answering the constant demand of questioning. And while the Pinoy posses were out en masse, it was really was an international gathering as the media came out in droves to capture the champ in action. I even saw some cameras with “Mexicans for Pacquiao” stickers on the gear with a rendering of both country’s flags on view.
While much has been made about the so-called “distractions” that the speedy southpaw reportedly coped with in camp, Arum confidently told those gathered around that “Manny has the ability to multi-task.” The Hall of Fame promoter also told me that the most common question he’s asked is, “Is Manny not taking this fight seriously–and is he therefore out of shape?” While anticipating the superstar’s entrance, the onlookers would later get their answers as Pacquiao didn’t miss a beat in the ring.
But before Manny Pacquiao, the “Leader of the Pac” himself, gloved up to hit the mitts I chatted a bit with his coach. The down-to-earth trainer said the #1 question he receives is, “Where’s Manny?” Freddie laughs and says, “They ask me that EVERY DAY, EVERYWHERE I go over and over again: ‘WHERE’S MANNY?’ Not a day goes by without everyone asking me that. I even made a shirt that said that! Manny loved it.” He also said that the second most-asked question is about his fighter’s Congressional duties. “And what’s the third most common question you’re asked?” I inquired. “Hmmm, that’s a really good question!” Roach replied as he thought for a moment. “It’s not about Margarito’s hand wraps, is it? Because we’re done with that, right?” Freddie quickly interjected with a sly smile, “NO! We’re not done with that!” “We’re not?” I ask. And before the former boxer can comment once again on the Margarito hand wrap scandal, he’s pulled away by the camera crews.
I then had a fun conversation with two of my favorite guys at Wild Card, trainers Pepper Roach and Shane Langford. These two always make me laugh. I see Shane at a lot of amateur shows and the Canadian transplant tells me he’s building a new team of young up-and-comers. While Margarito has stated this has been one of his best camps ever, I ask the guys for their fight predictions. “I think Manny is gonna knockout Margarito; he’s focused,” Shane states. What about all those “distractions” we’ve heard about? Langford said maybe it would affect some but, “Not when you’re Manny Pacquiao. He looks in pretty good shape to me!”
And what’s Pep’s prediction? “Pacquiao by decision,” he opines. “It’ll be a tough fight with a 5’11” tough guy who comes to fight–but Pacquiao is way faster and has a game plan. Don’t get me wrong, I like Margarito–he’s tough. But Pacquiao is ready; he’s the master. And he has a plan!”
Pepper then wants to show me a photo of his daughters that is on a door in the picture-plastered gym. I’ve met his two youngest girls and he shows off a picture of his three beauties. Family is important to him, and he tells me what his little brother did for him recently.
“I was living in the Valley, in Van Nuys, and we had to move out of our place quickly–without much notice!” the gregarious trainer says. “I didn’t know where we were gonna go. A couple of days later Freddie surprised me and bought me a house in Woodland Hills–a five million dollar house!”
“Is it really five million?” I say.
“Yes!” he says with a chuckle. “Now I have a pool and he don’t even have one! But Freddie can come over and swim anytime he wants to!”
“Wow, that’s cool he bought you a house. What did you say when he surprised you?”
“I told him, ‘Thanks, Motherfucker!'” laughed Pepper.
“And what did Freddie say?”
“No problem!” said his older brother.
As I head off to another pocket of their gym, the duo add, “Wait, take down our numbers in case you need to ask anything else.” “Okay,” I tell them as I have my pen ready. “My number is 911,” jokes Pep. With comedic timing down pat, his pal Shane pipes up, “And my number is 411.” Rob Peters passes by during this exchange and just shakes his head with a slight smile as the guys crack up. Like I said, Pepper and Shane always make me laugh.
Walking towards the second ring, I see Rashad Holloway with Dr. Ed in his corner. The welterweight will be featured in the Pacquiao-Margarito undercard and he shared his excitement with me. He’ll be battling Dennis Laurente and the well-liked boxer from North Carolina said, “I’m so excited to be fighting in Texas! I can’t wait to get in there and show off. I’m gonna showcase my skills but I’m also gonna ‘show off’ some!” You probably recognize Rashad from latest installment of the HBO “24/7” series where he was shown talking about his past sparring with Margarito. Holloway sustained an career-threatening eye injury he received at the hands of the Mexican brawler. No doubt, he will be watching the main event intensely as his stablemate Pacquiao goes toe to toe against Tony.
Also at the gym were conditioning coach Alex Ariza, Manny’s brother Bobby Pacquiao, “Entourage” actor Jeremy Piven and another Wild Card contender, Scottish southpaw Craig McEwan (19-0, 10 KOs).
With the final press conference taking place earlier today in Texas, the big showdown, promoted by Top Rank in association with Cowboys Stadium, MP Promotions and Tecate and available on HBO Pay-Per-View, is almost here.
At this workout two weeks ago, the atmosphere at the time already seemed at a fevered pitch. But now with the impending collision upon us, there is definitely going to be one “wild” rumble in the arena. And if the overwhelming favorite Pacquiao wins, the guys at Wild Card will all be celebrating.
Photos by Michele Chong