Buboy Fernandez will still be Pacquiao’s coach for July 20 fight

Filipino boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao said Thursday that his best friend and boxing coach Buboy Fernandez will still be with him for his forthcoming fight in July.

“Siya (Fernandez). July pa naman mag-start ang trabaho niya,” Pacquiao told reporters in a press conference.

Fernandez won the vice mayoralty race in Polangui, Albay.

But since his long-time buddy now has a new responsibility, Pacquiao said they still need to talk about their setup for his future fights.

“Saka namin pag-usapan ‘yan,” he said.

The senator said some wanted his fight to be in September or October but he chose to do it in July so that it will not affect his work at the Senate.

“Tinapat ko talaga ng July ‘yan dahil June walang work, walang session. Gusto nila laban ako ng September, October. Sabi ko hindi puwede dahil maaapektuhan ang trabaho ko. May commitment ako sa taumbayan na gagampanan ko ang trabaho ko,” he said.

Pacquiao said he will start his training in Manila because he still needs to attend the Senate session which will resume on May 20.

“Mag-start na rin ang training ko dito sa Maynila dahil may session pa kami ng May 20 until first week of June. After that wala na, hintayin na ang SONA ni Presidente. Makapag-training ako nang mabuti,” he said.

The senator is set to fight American boxer Keith Thurman inside the ring on July 20. — RSJ, GMA News