PACQUIAO SAYS HE'S READY TO FIGHT FOR 24 ROUNDS
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Sep 2007
Looking every inch fit and ready to rumble, superstar Manny Pacquiao yesterday declared he expects a stretched out battle against Mexican icon Marco Antonio Barrera, but said he will be ready to do battle "even for 24 rounds."
"Handang-handa ako lumaban kahit dalawang beses pa. Kasi ngayon 28 rounds yung ginagawa ko palagi sa gym," Pacquiao said after a three-hour workout yesterday at the Rex 'Wakee' Salud gym here.
To prove that stamina won't be a problem, Pacquiao sparred another full ten rounds yesterday, bringing his total so far to 68 rounds in his preparation for Barrera.
"We had a three-round bout today, and we went toe-to-toe. When he tagged me, i felt like being hit by a baseball bat," said David Rodela, who capped the sparring session with his 3-rounder against Pacquiao.
Another Mexican, Raymundo Beltran, also traded leathers with Pacquiao for three rounds, while Filipino sparmate Aaron Melgarejo took on Pacquiao for four hard rounds.
Pacquiao was cheered on at yesterday's training by younger brother Rogel, the president of his MP Promotions, while another brother Bobby, was also training side-by-side with the Pacman.
Meanwhile, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach informed that Pacquiao is set to get his final sparring on September 21, and Team Pacquiao is slated to fly to Manila in the evening after the afternoon training session.
The group will then train at the Wild Card Gym in Manila in the afternoon of September 22, and head out to Los Angeles in the evening.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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