Strength & conditioning coach impressed by Pacquiao?s form
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 28 Sep 2016
PASAY CITY ? Strength & conditioning coach Justin Fortune was impressed by the fighting senator?s performance inside the ring with more than four weeks to go en route to the Nov. 5 ring collision with World Boxing Organization Welterweight crown holder Jessie Vargas.
Fortune arrived in Manila last week to take over the task of getting Sen. Manny Pacquiao back into a tip-top shape.
?I love what I see. He?s good and aggressive. He?s regaining his strength, speed and stamina,? Fortune said.
Pacquiao started his sparring session Thursday last week at the Elorde Boxing Gym near Mall of Asia against Filipino Lightweight pug Leonardo Doronio.
Doronio is ranked no. 6 in the Philippine Lightweight Division and a one-time World Boxing Association Asia-Pacific champ.
Doronio was clearly no match in terms of power, speed and stamina against the World?s only eight-division boxing champion.
?He is so strong and quick. I?m totally outclassed. But it?s an honor on my part to be a sparring mate of our boxing idol,? Doronio claimed.
Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao?s childhood bosom buddy, is taking charge of the latter?s training camp for the past three weeks.
?I have to make sure that our boss is in great conditioning level when coach Freddie Roach takes over. That?s my job. Kumbaga, finishing touches na lang yong kay coach Freddie,? Fernandez bared.
Fortune said he expect the Filipino ring icon to peak just on time for the scheduled ring duel with Vargas.
?Manny Pacquiao is one of a kind. I don?t worry about his level of conditioning during the fight. He?s a hardworking and dedicated type of fighter,? Fortune said.
But what amazed Fortune the most is the way Pacquiao handles his duties as senator and boxer.
?No one can serve two masters at the same time. But I?m really fascinated that Manny Pacquiao is doing well both as senator and boxer. He?s the only fighter I knew who gives back what he has to his people,? Fortune added.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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