PACQUIAO TO START SPARRING TUESDAY AS SPARRING PARTNER HITS GENSAN
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Feb 2016
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- A 31-year-old Canada-based Congolese fighter has been tasked with shaping Manny Pacquiao to recapture his fighting form for the coming final chapter of his trilogy with American Timothy Bradley a little over a month from now.
Ghislain Maduma, a former amateur and frustrated Olympian from Kinshasha of the Democratic Republic of Congo, flew in here Sunday and will be the Sarangani Congressman's sparring mate starting Tuesday, at least, before the Filipino boxing hero leaves for the United States first week of March or earlier.
Maduma, who twice tried but failed to make it to the Democratic Congolese Olympic Team, tried to shed off jet lag Monday doing mitts with Reginald Laguere, who accompanied him here, and do shadow boxing before watching in awe as Pacquiao did his things in the ring.
"Very strong and very fast," was Maduma said as the eight-division champion pummeled trainer Freddie Roach's pads with powerful shots amidst the familiar sound (splash ..... splash ....splash) that was music to the regular spectators at the MP Wild Card Gym.
"He's good! He's good!" he repeatedly murmured during the entire seven-round training session "Well, he's not a legend for nothing. Now I know why he's a legend. With his power and hand-speed, Bradley might not last nine round. Yeah, Pacquiao will knock out Bradley in nine rounds," he predicted.
Asked what he could possibly contribute to his host's arsenal, Maduma retorted, "I can give him more speed. I'm also known for my quickness and, that's exactly what I intend to give him, I'm faster than Bradley, you know."
Frustrated in failing to fulfill his dream of becoming an Olympian, Maduma, who now calls Montreal his home, turned to prizefighting in 2011 and immediately caught the attention of the boxing world by hacking out 18 straight victories.
Incidentally, Maduma's only two losses since turning pro five years ago, came within the past two years -- split decision defeat to Maurice Hooker in his last fight on October 17, 2015 at the Madison Square Garden in New York and a TKO setback to Kevin Mitchell on May 3, 2014 at Wembley Stadium in United Kingdom.
In between those fights, Maduma, who speaks fluent French and was recommended by Pacquiao's business consultant Michael Koncz, TKOed Michael Focosi on June 20, 2015 in an encounter held in Montreal. Before fighting for money, Maduma had 78 fights as an amateur, winning 61 of those en route to crowning himself the State Quebec champion five times.
Photo: Congo's Ghislain Maduma (R) poses with Pacquiao at the Wildcard Gym in General Santos City Monday. Photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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