Manny Pacquiao Continues to Socialize Despite Training and Time Constraints

Less than three weeks before his date with Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao continues to socialize, despite his lackluster showing while training for his November fight with the Mexican boxer.

Pacquiao, who just arrived at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles from a four-week training in Baguio City in the Philippines, is reportedly motoring to Las Vegas, Nev. Thursday, on invitation from his fellow politician and U.S. Senator Harry Reid.

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum, who is a friend of Senator Reid, said it is important for Pacquiao to grace the occasion.

Arum told the Inquirer,in a phone interview, that Pacquiao’s presence at the Reid rally could influence a sizable Filipino-American community and help tilt the balance in favor of the Democratic Senate president, who has been facing the fight of his political life.

A few hours after his arrival in Los Angeles from a month-long training in the Philippines, Pacquiao slipped off to San Diego to be with his basketball team, in an exhibition game where he served as coach of the team.

On Monday, Pacquiao is scheduled to grace Jimmy Kimmel Live!, his third time as a guest on the top-rated TV show.

Over a week ago Bob Arum flew to Manila to monitor the progress of Pacquiao's training in Baguio City. The world's top boxing promoter immediately noticed Pacquiao's sluggish moves, saying he certainly lacks speed which is his prime weapon to dominate Margarito.

Arum said if the fight was held at the time of his arrival at the Baguio training camp, he was sure Pacquiao would lose to Margarito.

Prior to Bob Arum's visit to the Baguio training camp, Pacquiao has been shuttling between Manila and Baguio on weekends for social and political functions.

Critics say Pacquiao had so many distractions during the Baguio camp training, which were mostly politically related.

Pacquiao's coach, Freddie Roach, said the Filipino boxer seems to be enjoying his new job as a politician.

Pacquiao is a newly elected congressman representing his province of Sarangani in southern Philippines.

Evidently, Pacquiao is now mixing boxing with his new-found career in politics.