Working away in the heat of the Philippines…

Hey guys,

I’m writing to you from the hot and humid Philippines! It’s great to come back to the country, the people here are so welcoming and friendly that I always love coming back. I’m here for the next six weeks and will be training at altitude to make sure that I’m in tip-top shape for my May 19th showdown with Lamont Peterson.

Alex Ariza is out here with me at the moment and Freddie Roach arrives next week. Alex and I have been up in the early hours for the morning session which involves swimming and then running at the track before we hit it hard in the afternoon at the Jupiter Gym.

I have my breakfast, oats and fruit, after the morning session and then rest up before getting ready for the session in the afternoon. I’ll have something to eat around 11am just before we head out which gets me prepared for the hard slog!

I’m doing a bit of padwork with Marvin, a local trainer at the gym, just before Freddie arrives and to make sure I’m loosened up and ready before he gets here. The early weeks of training are usually the hardest because it takes some time for the body to adjust to the intense regime. Alex has really been pushing me, and I love it like that because I know how important it is to put in the work at this stage. I know my opponent will be pushing himself in training and that gives me the motivation to always do that little bit more and push that bit harder.

I’m also loving the new Maximuscle supplements that I’m using to get my body in shape, they’re working really well and by the time the weigh-in takes place you’ll know exactly what I mean!

The Philippines is a lot different to training in LA, life here is a bit slower and away from training there is not as much to do. I think that’s a good thing because this fight is so important, it’s the only thing I want to be focusing on. Plus it also gives me more time to talk with my fans on Twitter and the website and see how everyone is doing! I got Sunday off and spent the day just chilling and relaxing, the restaurants here are very nice and I’ve found some good Italian food!

It was great to see Manny as well at a recent function, the Gabriel Elorde Boxing Awards. He starts his camp shortly and it’s always good being in the gym with him. I wish him the best of luck in his fight against Timothy Bradley and know that he is going to be too strong for him.

I was invited on stage during the event to present a couple of awards which was nice – the future of boxing in the Philippines looks very bright.

I also want to take a moment and wish all the GB boxers the best of luck ahead of the squad announcement for the final Olympic qualifiers today. I know how much work and time goes into making the Olympic squad so good luck to them.

I was recently selected as an official Olympic torchbearer for the 2012 London Games and I’m really proud to have been chosen.

For the time being though my mind is only looking to May 19th at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. There are still a few tickets left for the fight, though they are going quickly.

This is where fights are won, away from the cameras. I’m working away and will continue to do so. Believe me when fight night comes around it’s going to be my hand raised at the end of the fight!

Will speak soon.

AK