ROACH: "PACQUIAO TIMING IS OFF BUT ON TARGET"
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Feb 2016
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- A four-round sparring session marked Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring Tuesday following a nine-month hiatus since losing his last fight to the now-retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. held last May.
And with the way he connected killing blows while absorbing equally lethal shots from his Congolese-Canadian dance-mate Ghislain Maduma for solid 12 minutes, it looked like the fighting Congressman from Sarangani Province hasn't lost any of the assets that brought him enormous wealth and fame in 21 years of practicing his chosen profession.
That is if his handler and Maduma, himself, are to be believed.
"He's okay." No less than chief trainer Freddie Roach assessed following a day that saw his pupil of 15 years completed another seven rounds with the pads, and two rounds each with the double end and speed ball.
"There are still a lot of room for improvement. The speed is still there and so is the power and based on what I saw today, we can easily attain our target in no time," the Hall of Fame trainer said.
He said Pacquiao needs to improve more on his timing but added, "he's gonna be better as days go on in the camp."
Roach added that both Pacquiao and his mate had passed the test in only the very first day of sparring, the most important and crucial part of the Pacman's preparation for his coming third fight with fellow former world welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.
Roach would have wanted to cancel the day's sparring schedule owing to Pacquiao's not being able to hold the regular morning workout on the road, plus the fact that Maduma had just arrived and might still be suffering from jet lag.
Pacquiao, the only man in the world of sweet science to win titles in eight weight divisions, and Bradley, one of only six fighters to deal his rival a loss in a 21-year career, engage each other anew on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las vegas , site of their previous two encounters.
"I'm okay, Pacquiao, for his part, said. "Pinaghandaan naman natin ang sparring, kasama sa training yan."
Maduma, a 31-year-old pro of five years, himself could not hide expressing his impression. "He's good. Very fast and powerful. I've seen Bradley fight and what I can say is Pacquiao is stronger and quicker than Bradley."
Asked if he is able to hit Pacquiao with solid punches, Maduma answered, "Yeah I did, but to tell you frankly, I couldn't catch him. He moved a lot."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 2026