PACQUIAO NEARS PEAK FORM
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Apr 2015
Thus declared chief trainer Freddie Roach in reference to World Boxing Organization welterweight kingpin who is undergoing extensive training at the Wild Card Gym here in preparation to his 147-pound unification fight with American World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association belt-owner.
Pacquiao echoed the same sentiment when he greeted media men as he came out of the exit door in the ground floor o the Vine St. sweat shop Thursday following another rigorous day that saw him boxed a total 23 rounds.
"Malapit na, just count the days," he said briefly as proceeded in the direction of the Nat's Thai eatery where movie celebrity Jim Caviezel, lead actor of the play "Passion of the Christ" was waiting to pay him a visit.
The three-time Fighter of the Year honoree of the Boxing Writers Association of America sparred for 10 rounds, the most since this part of training regimen started three weeks ago, did the mitts for nine rounds with assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez plus the equivalent of five rounds hitting the double end and the speed balls.
Conditioning exercises using the ladder and box and abdominal strengthening ritual completed the eight-division champ's four-hour drill that had his handlers expressing excitement after.
"We are preparing him to fight for from 15 to 20 rounds and we (in the training staff) believe we're nearing that goal," Roach said. "I was, in fact, afraid that he might again ask for more rounds in sparring and with the mitts like the past two days. I was glad he didn't."
"Today was one o the best days in this camp," Roach added."The workout had long been ended as well as the post-workout interviews by the two Philippine television stations and he was still jumpy as he left the room."
"Slowly, but surely, we will be in a situation we want to be,' Roach noted. "The train is approaching the station."
"Manny's full of energy. Despite some minor problems that marred the camp, I think he has fully regained his old stamina and strength," he said full of smile as he, once again, dispelled persistent reports that injuries like the leg cramps have been hampering his student's preparation.
"Yeah, I once said there existed some minor hitches but I never said these affected our preparations," he explained. "Those reports were sort of exaggerated, I should say. "
"All the problems that arose had been solved, the calf injury had been settled and we even fired two sparring partners who, as in the words of Manny came short of his expectations," Roach disclosed. "I am giving one, who sparred today, another day and, mostly likely, I"ll kick him out, too."
Roach said several names are being mentioned as replacements, adding that the list are long and there's nothing to worry about as far as sparring is concerned.
Asked why Buboy did the mitts, Roach said, "Well, I have to give myself a respite, too. Imagine being the absorber of Manny's strong punches every other day. Besides I had to go to my doctor earlier today."
Conditioning coach Justin fortune, meanwhile, said the frequency of the agility program will be reduced starting Friday, the day when Pacquiao will return to mountain-climbing at the Griffith Hills.
"Manny is has almost recovered his speed and footwork and although he is still needs some polishing, we reduced the UCLA (University of California-Los Angeles track and field stadium routine to just once a week instead o thrice a week," Fortune reasoned out.
"Besides, Manny wants to do his roadwork at Griffith . Roadwork starting next week will he held every Monday and Friday. Wednesday is at UCLA.
Fortune said another reason or re-scheduling the frequency in UCLA is because the school's track and field stadium will be the venue or an athletic competition this weekend.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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