When he looks back, he might look at the setup in his two-bedroom apartment at Sunset and Vine in Hollywood, California, where a group of Filipinos from Southern California made it their haunt shortly after Pacquiao decided to move there from the Vagabond Inn.

According to people close to the boxer, days leading to his departure for Las Vegas, Pacquiao’s friends, fans and even friends of his friends, regularly converge at the third floor of the $4,000 a month unit. While there, these people spent their time to play video games, watch television, eat lunch and dinner. In many instances, they brought along their girlfriends as though it was a bachelor’s pad.

The same observer, who requested anonymity, said that if Pacquiao wants to get back the feel of a training camp, he should get rid of these hangers-on whose presence had kept him up past his 9 p.m. bedtime.

"Marami kasi ang nakapaligid kay Manny at kung anu-ano pa ang mga binubulong," said the source. "Ang nagyari kasi ay pati iyung mga hindi naman niya dapat pa isipin at intindihin ay kanya tuloy na iniintindi gaya ng mga tickets sa laban at mga pinapipirmang mga bagay sa kanya."

Surrounded by people with no boxing experience except for manager Shelly Finkel and his training team, Pacquiao did train hard for the Morales fight, but the setup in his apartment did not jive well with the ambience of a boxer training for a crucial bout.

Even while he was already here, the receiving lounge of his suite was on occasions a venue for card games by those who claim to have strong links to the fighter.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is expected to spend a few more days here and in Los Angeles before flying back to Manila with wife Jinkee.

They are expected to leave Los Angeles on March 26 as Pacquiao is gracing the Elorde Boxing Awards on March 30 which will honor him as its Boxer of the Year for 2004.

After his cut was stitched, Pacquiao attended a party that was hosted by his supporters at Cafe Moda, which is a mere five minutes away from the MGM Grand.