Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant made use of his lockout-fueled free time Thursday by visiting the Wild Card Gym to watch Manny Pacquiao prepare for his third bout against Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.
That preparation included a reaffirmation of the game plan: Hurt Marquez early and never let up. Finish him off.
Bryant stayed for close to an hour, posing for a few photos with Pacquiao and his team members and then leaving after the Filipino ring icon had completed seven rounds of sparring with three different fighters.
Bryant’s visit, Roach said, was prearranged by the basketball superstar’s camp.
“He’s a nice guy,†Roach said. “It’s nice that Lone dropped by. We talked a little bit. I enjoyed meeting him.â€
“He didn’t get a chance to talk to Manny that much because the training was about to start when he arrived,†added Roach.
Pacquiao also did six rounds of mitts a day after taking a rare day off from working out Wednesday.
“In my 10 or 11 years with Manny, this was just the second time that he took the day off,†Roach said. “He’s been working very hard for this fight. I felt the rest was needed.â€
Pacquiao is taking his fight against his Mexican nemesis personally, and Roach said this has been the hardest he’s seen Manny at in camp.
“I know I say this a lot but we’re having the beat camp ever,†said Roach. “This is the most motivated I’ve ever seen him.â€
“The entire camp, he’s had an extra push, extra motivation,†said the hall-of-fame trainer. “He’s really pissed at this guy.â€
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WRITTEN BY By Francis T.J. Ochoa
Philippine Daily Inquirer & FULL STORY HERE