PACQUIAO ENTERS SEMI-HARD PHASE OF TRAINING
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Aug 2007
CEBU CITY--Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao has entered what trainers call the "semi-hard" phase of his training for his October 6 return showdown with Marco Antonio Barrera, and looks every inch ready to put in the hard work as he continues to work out at the Rex 'Wakee' Salud gym here.
Pacquiao did not spar yesterday, but did three rounds of shadow-boxing, banged away at the mitts for ten rounds although trainer Freddie Roach scheduled only a 7-round session, did ten minutes with the speedball and another ten minutes skipping rope.
Aside from Roach and Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez, former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa has also joined the team to contribute his expertise in making sure Barrera does not get his much-cherished revenge on the Filipino icon.
Pacquiao was also elated when Bacolod Representative Monico Puentebella dropped by at the gym yesterday to see how he was doing in training.
Pacquiao (R) doing the double-end speedball routine as trainers Roach (L) and Fernandez look on. An interested onlooker is Bacolod City congressman Monico Puentebella (2nd from right) who dropped by Salud's gym yesterday.
Pacquiao's Mexican sparmates Raymundo Beltran and David Rodela (L) prepare themselves for today's sparring session with Manny.
"Manny looks good. He's in great form. But he should know how to pace himself in training," said Puentebella after observing from ringside Pacquiao's almost three-hour session.
Pacquiao is set to spar today against Mexican sparmates David Rodela and Raymundo "Sugar" Beltran.
Roach also noted that he might bring in a Filipino sparmate--Arniel Tinampay, nationally-rated fighter who has been sparring against Pacquiao when he trained for big fights in Davao City.
"I might also decide to call in Speedy Gonzalez much earlier, depending on how these two Mexican boys hold up against Manny. It might be sooner or later," Roach said when asked as to when the third Mexican sparmate is set to arrive.
Pacquiao looked jovial yesterday all throughout the session, a stark contrast to his workouts the last several days.
"Mas nagustuhan kasi ni Manny yung mag train at 3PM, kasi hindi na masyadong mainit ang araw. Pag mag start kami ng maaga, masyadong mainit kaya nahirapan siya," said Fernandez.
Meanwhile, an HBO crew is set to arrive on Tuesday in Cebu, and will film Pacquiao's training on Thursday and Friday next week as part of the 24/7 program they are preparing for the rematch at Mandalay Bay.
"They are arriving on Tuesday, and will film on Thursday and Friday. They're going to do a 24/7 for this fight," said Roach.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 02 Oct 2025World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
Tue, 30 Sep 2025Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 30 Sep 2025TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 30 Sep 2025A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
Mon, 29 Sep 2025Rosia captures PBF super fly title
Mon, 29 Sep 2025