Target practice for Manny
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 05 Jun 2018
Australian conditioning coach Justin Fortune said recently his goal for Manny Pacquiao in sparring to get ready for WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina is precision punching, not brawling, and he?ll keep the rounds to a minimum to preserve the Filipino icon for the big fight at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15.
?In sparring, the objective is targeting,? said Fortune. ?That?s why we brought in George Kambosos, an undefeated Australian lightweight, to spar with Manny. We?re trying to get George in Manny?s undercard in K. L. but if that can?t happen, George will take a fight in the US two weeks later so he?s getting ready, too. We thought of bringing over Sergey Lipinets, a Kazakh lightweight (13-1, 10 KOs) but he likes to go to war in sparring so he?s not the kind of sparmate we want.?
Fortune said he?s confident Pacquiao will score a knockout over Matthysse even if he hasn?t stopped an opponent since Miguel Cotto in 2009. ?Matthysse has a weak chin,? said Fortune. ?He took the 10-count in losing to (Viktor) Postol and I don?t think Postol is a heavy puncher with only 12 KOs in 28 wins at that stage. We know Matthysse will be well-prepared for the fight so it?s important that Manny is in the best condition of his life.?
Fortune said Matthysse?s style is easy to read. ?He?s aggressive, a brawler,? said Fortune. ?He?s not changing his style overnight. But Matthysse did show some boxing skills in outpointing Ruslan (Provodnikov). That fight was an all-out war with both fighters banging each other so Matthysse made an adjustment. Against Manny who?s quicker and smarter than Ruslan, Matthysse will fight the way he usually does. Besides, even if Matthysse decides to box, there?s no way he can outbox Manny. We expect Matthysse to try to pressure Manny, push him to the corners or along the ropes. He'll fight dirty like (Jeff) Horn.?
Fortune said he?s excited to bring along his wife Tamara Frapasella for the fight in K. L. She?ll fly in from Los Angeles and stay for five days. Frapasella is an American actress and fashion model of Italian descent. Fortune met her when she went to his Los Angeles gym to train for a celebrity boxing match with Kim Kardashian in 2009. Fortune said Tamara won handily in the bout that was featured on the TV show ?Keeping Up With The Kardashians.? Last year, Tamara gave birth to twins Crayden and Sophia. ?I?m 52 and it?s wonderful to be a father to nine-month-old twins,? said Fortune. ?I?m blessed.? Tamara is now more active in movies as a producer.
Fortune said there?s no pressing reason for Pacquiao to consider retiring at age 39. ?I don?t think there?s anyone in his division who?s faster with their hands and feet even if we concede that Manny has slowed down a few notches,? he said. ?He?s still a high-caliber fighter. At the moment, the lightweight and welterweight divisions are the most exciting in boxing. It?s difficult to retire if you?re still capable of winning big fights and there are offers of multi-million dollar contracts. Two of the fighters out there I?m impressed with are superfeatherweight Tevin Farmer and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence.?
Fortune said he might relocate his Los Angeles gym to Denver, Colorado or Austin, Texas. ?We?ve been very successful with our gym that?s been around for 10 years but developers now want to build a complex and the construction could start by next year,? he said. ?If we relocate, we?re thinking of Denver or Austin either of which will be good places to raise our kids and they?re big on boxing, too.?
Photo: Manny Pacquiao spars in General Santos City ahead of his title fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 15. Photo by Wendell Alinea.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024