PACQUIAO CANCELS TRAINING BUT HAD A GOOD RUN IN GRIFFITH PARK
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 25 Oct 2016
Eight division world champion, "Fighter of the Decade" and Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao skipped training on Monday afternoon in the Wild Card Gym of trainer Freddie Roach but had "a good, hard run" at Griffith Park in the morning.
Longtime adviser and confidant Michael Koncz informed the Manila Standard that he "canceled training in the afternoon because he wanted Manny to rest due to jet lag" from the long and tiring flight from Manila to Los Angeles on Saturday night.
The future Hall of Famer arrived in LA on Saturday evening to complete the final two weeks of training at coach Freddie Roach's Wildcard Gym.
Although the Filipino boxing legend will turn 38 years old in December, and is currently juggling Senatorial duties with the rigors of intense training, seven-time trainer of the year Roach is amazed at how energetic his superstar has appeared in camp.
Roach recently told Top Rank Boxing, "I like what I see."
Fight Saga quoted Roach who said "I told him, this is how you win big, big fights...like the old Manny Pacquiao. I don't know what did this, but he looks terrific right now. His bounce, his distance, his speed, his power...I said to keep that going, just like that, and don't let anyone change your mindset. His mindset is perfect right now."
The heralded boxing coach understands how hard Manny can realistically push himself at age 37, and knows when his fighter should be "peaking" while preparing for a big event. Remarkably, Freddie has been genuinely surprised at the progress he's seen while preparing for Jessie Vargas.
?I have been training Manny for 15 years and even after all this time he still amazes me.
?He's pushing 38 and he still outworks every fighter I've ever worked with. He's had a killer schedule during this training camp but it's been really productive."
Fellow Wildcard fighter and sparring partner, Jose Ramirez, has been impressed while working with Pacquiao at the Elorde Gym in Manila.
"Manny has been sharp," admits the former Olympian. "He's looks really fast, and very explosive, throwing good combinations."
Photo: Pacquiao works out at the Griffith Park in Los Angeles early Monday morning. Photo by Jhay Otamias.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Year Ends With a BANG
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai: Birmingham Barnburner
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Experience gain from competition - Lim
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Victory for Swedish Boxer Genti Morina in Professional Debut – A Dominant Performance in Copenhagen
Sat, 30 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 287: RYAN GARCIA FACES RUKIYA ANPO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BUT NO GO SIGNAL FROM GOLDEN BOY YET
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Gaballo to fight again on Dec. 18 in Bula
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 202432nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships: Team Philippines wraps up successful campaign with 2 golds and 1 bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 29 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 29 Nov 2024Some boxers have no golds at stake
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024YAFAI: I'VE GOT MORE CHANCE OF KNOCKING HIM OUT
Fri, 29 Nov 2024DC jiu jitsu, lawn tennis bags 8 medals in BP
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Three Pinoy Fighters in Crucial Bouts This December
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 28 Nov 2024Camp Notes: Oscar Valdez & Emanuel Navarrete Prepared for Phoenix Firefight on December 7 LIVE on ESPN
Thu, 28 Nov 2024Mabuhay at Salamat: Long Live and Thanks
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 28 Nov 2024