PACQUIAO-MATTHYSSE FEATS, FACTS AND FIGURES 10: CHANGES IN PACQUIAO'S TRAINING
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Jun 2018
Extreme modifications have been implemented by Manny Pacquiao's training team in his preparations for the world title match against Lucas Matthysse of Argentina in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 15.
Unlike before when Pacquiao used to let opponents trap him in a corner and pummel him with body blows just to feel their power, the 8-division world champion no longer wants to be hit. His training team makes him "glide, slide or defend to ward off a direct assault" which is the forte of Matthysse.
Head trainer Buboy Fernandez and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune analyzed that Pacquiao at his age should not permit his body to be devastated especially with solid blows by Matthysse.
The trainers were also able to persuade Pacquiao to minimize his jogging because it affects his leg works. With this he looked keen and precise in his sparring with George Kambosos and Gerich Chaves and Arnel Tinampay.
In 2015 he incurred a unanimous decision loss to Floyd Mayweather in a Las Vegas bout billed as highest grossing fight in boxing history. Pacquiao said that a rematch with Mayweather is still possible. "As long as he will come back and continue fighting there is a chance," he added.
Nine years ago, Pacquiao defeated the heftier Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title after referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight 55 seconds into the 12th round when the Puerto Rican brawler could no longer withstand the punishment from the then pound-for-pound top fighter of the world.
Pacquiao was ahead on all three judges' scorecards before the stoppage, 109?99, 108?99, and 108? 100. He knocked Cotto down in round three with a right hook, and then again in round four with a left uppercut. Pacquiao also won the special WBC Diamond Belt.
The Cotto KO came after Pacquiao's very famous third-round thumping of British champ Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton in what many fans called "Manny's Greatest Hit." After the fight, promoter Bob Arum stated: "Pacquiao is the greatest boxer I've ever seen, and I've seen them all, including Ali, Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard."
After his compelling wins against Hatton and Cotto, Pacquiao was no longer able to win by knockout. He lost four of his next 13 bouts which is more defeats in nine years than during his first 14 years as a professional boxer.
Photo: Manny Pacquiao (R) gets pointers from Justin Fortune.
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