As I’m making the drive to the “WildCard Boxing Club” I started to think of which questions I should ask Manny, how he’ll respond, and do I dare ask about his Golden Boy Deal? The drive is about twenty minutes from the touchgloves.com offices, but that’s before bothering to figure in the L.A. traffic I’m about to endure. As I make the exit off the freeway, off to the side, up in the hills, I see the world famous “HOLLYWOOD” sign. It’s fitting that a man who came from nothing is training in the city where they say dreams come true.
As I’m making the drive to the “WildCard Boxing Club” I started to think of which questions I should ask Manny, how he’ll respond, and do I dare ask about his Golden Boy Deal? The drive is about twenty minutes from the touchgloves.com offices, but that’s before bothering to figure in the L.A. traffic I’m about to endure. As I make the exit off the freeway, off to the side, up in the hills, I see the world famous “HOLLYWOOD” sign. It’s fitting that a man who came from nothing is training in the city where they say dreams come true.
As I’m walking up the stairs into “WildCard” I start to get a little excited. I know that I’m about to see one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, as he trains for one of the biggest fights of the year. As a boxing fan I wanted to run up and shake Freddy Roach’s hand and take 100 pictures of Manny as he shadow boxed for three minute periods, simulating being in a fight. But, I knew my job was to report, and as a reporter, I have to play it cool, especially in L.A., where cool is the #1 fashion statement. So I just stood by the ring, watched, observed, and tried to act like I’ve done this before.
Seeing the excitement of the fans that came to see Manny was like a kid stepping into a candy store for the first time. In the Philippines, Manny is an icon; Not only for boxing, but also for singing and acting. It put a smile to my face to see all of the fans near the ring, inches from the rope, a few feet from the man they idolize. Young or old, the excitement was etched onto their faces.
I eventually went and stood at the corner apron furthest from Manny. I watched him for the next few three minute sessions attempting to take a picture. But every time I took a picture and looked at it to examine, I noticed that he wasn’t in the picture. He was so quick that he was able to move out of the picture frame within seconds of me trying to take the picture. I eventually took 3 pictures, one with his back turned, one while he was resting, and the third of Freddy Roach as he stood across from me (Manny slipped out of the way at the last second). As we crossed paths as he left the ring to go onto a floor mat to do some crunches I noticed his shirt read ‘No Fear’, the motto he lives by every time he steps into a ring.
Another reporter told me that Manny had been up since 5 a.m. training. From 5 to 8 he runs and from 8-3 he does his in ring training. Three o’ clock had come and the training for the day was over. I took a seat as I waited for Manny to come out, hoping to get in a few questions with him. I started to notice all the posters and pictures in “WildCard” and realizing how much history was inside of this gym. I then turned to the left and realized that Manny had been sitting next to me and I didn’t even know it (I also realized that I made the mistake of not bringing a boxing glove with me for him to sign). For the next ten minutes, Manny signed autographs, took pictures, and talked to his fans. He finally signed his last autograph and I was finally able to get a few questions with Manny as he was by himself.
TG: HEY MANNY, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THE PREVIOUS TWO FIGHT WITH MORALES, THAT YOU’RE GOING TO BRING TO THIS FIGHT?
Manny: I KNOW THAT HE IS A GREAT FIGHTER AND THAT IT’S GOING TO BE VERY TOUGH.
TG: ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE KNOCKOUT OR ARE YOU PLANNING FOR A FULL 12 ROUND FIGHT?
Manny: IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW THE FIGHT IS GOING.
F: HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING FROM MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA’S CAMP REGARDING A REMATCH BETWEEN YOU TWO?
Manny: I’M JUST FOCUSED ON MORALES, NOBODY ELSE.
F: FINALLY, WHAT’S TOUGHER: BOXING, ACTING, OR SINGING?
M: HAHA, BOXING IS MUCH TOUGHER!
Manny is the type of guy who could never make it in Hollywood. He’s not flashy, most people outside of boxing don’t know who he is, and he doesn’t box for just himself, he boxes for his for the pride of his country. A young fighter growing up in the poverty filled Philippine Islands, earning respect the old-fashioned way, and becoming a world champion along the way, he’ll be the first one to tell you that Hollywood isn’t the only place where dreams do come true.
