HORN IS UP AGAINST A FREAK
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Jun 2017
GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? Australian boxer Jeff Horn should be in his damnedest best come July 2 when he squares off with World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a premier Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
Horn is up against a freak.
During the entire training camp, Pacquiao has been a mean fighting machine ? relentless and tireless.
Pacquiao?s repertoire has been on flamboyant display, be it on the road during the roadwork or in the gym during the sparring session.
Everyday, since training coach Freddie Roach and conditioning guru Justine Fortune arrived, Pacquiao has been going through a combined 32 grueling rounds of sparring or mitts session, pounding the heavy bag, double-end bag and speed bag, shadow box and skipping rope inside the gym during the afternoon training session.
?My hunger and passion for the sport has never waned. That is why I am training as hard as this. When you train hard, the fight would be easy,? Pacquiao bared.
Pacquiao was scheduled to go on an uphill road run on Saturday morning a few hours before he and his entourage will fly out to Brisbane.
Pacquiao is set to leave Gensan for Brisbane via a chartered flight around 11:30 a.m. Saturday with around 200 people in tow.
Fortune said Pacquiao?s grueling uphill roadwork on a 1.9-kilometer, 42-degrees high Tinoto plateau is more of mental than physical.
Tinoto plateau is the take off point for the adrenalin-pumping paragliding adventure in the region.
Pacman with his sparring partners and local Pinoy boxers during roadwork leading to Pacman Beach Resort in Tinoto, Maasim, Sarangani Province. Photo by Aquiles Z. Zonio
?The road leading up to the paragliding site is steep. Going up there is energy-sapping and is a big mental challenge. His target is to finish the uphill run in 20 minutes,? Fortune said.
From the top, Pacquiao and his team will take the car going back to the main road then to Gensan.
Pacquiao used to go on a high-altitude road run in famous Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California.
?From the foothill up to the Dante?s Peak of Griffith Park, it?s about four miles and Manny can get it in just 35 minutes. Going up to Tinoto plateau is shorter but steeper compared to the Griffith Park,? Fortune bared.
According to Fortune, Pacquiao is now about 95 percent ready for the July 2 title defense of his WBO Welterweight crown.
?He?s a freak. He?s 38 years old but he remains relentless and tireless. The hardwork and work rate of this guy is incomparable. That?s why he is so special,? Fortune said.
There were times when his trainer and conditioning coach had to rein him in to avoid burnout.
?We don?t want him to peak early for the July 2 fight. So, sometimes we have to stop him,? Fortune said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026