Manny Pacquiao an autograph on a man’s shirt during a lull in his training in Baguio City on Monday. Pacquiao also attended mass at the Baguio cathedral and before that he had a workout at Burnham Park. (Photo by RIZALDY COMMANDA)

BAGUIO CITY — There must be something about this city that is drawing the interest of boxing champions.

Following the footsteps of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, newly-crowned World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona has decided to train here to prepare for his November 21 title fight in Canada.

Sonsona reportedly will arrive this week joining Pacquiao, who has been training for about a week.

While Metro Manila, Central Luzon and parts of Southern Luzon were battered by Typhoon “Ondoy,” Baguio was relatively unscathed during the weekend that saw Pacquiao do some roadwork under the watchful eyes of his large retinue of trainers and therapists.

Rufino Panagan, a local boxing promoter, said the city’s cool weather is perfect for high altitude training.

Pacquiao is entering his second week of training at the Shape Up Gym inside the Cooyeesan Hotel along Naguilian road.

Panagan said the Sonsona camp was impressed at the kindness and courtesy shown by local residents when Pacquiao chose the city for the first part of his eight-week training before facing Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on November 14.

Sonsona made a strong impression in winning the WBO super flyweight crown from Puerto Rican Jose Lopez.

The 19-year old champion, however, will train in various gyms of the city since Shape Up Gym is exclusive for Pacquiao when he trains there.

But there is a strong possibility that Sonsona can join Pacquiao in his workout, and possibly get some tips from the most prominent Filipino athlete.

Pacquiao will stay for four more weeks in the country’s summer capital before going to the United States for the final phase of his training.

Panagan said he expects more world champions and world-rated boxers will be coming to the city in the next few months for their high altitude training.