PACQUIAO?S TRAINING RIGHT ON TARGET
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Feb 2008
Los Angeles, CA -- Reports coming out of Manila (Giongco-Manila Bulletin) indicated that Juan Manuel Marquez issued an statement warning Pacquiao to ?get ready and be prepared.?
Judging from what I saw today at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, Marquez himself should be ready and prepared. Otherwise, he will be in for a short evening.
Today I was one of the privileged few allowed to witness to the sparring session of Pacquiao with two very good and young Latino fighters who gave Pacquiao a very hard workout. And to top that, I was the only still-photographer allowed to take action shots while Pacquiao was sparring.
One particular sparmate, Juanito Garcia of Phoenix, Arizona was very impressive. Admittedly, Garcia is no Marquez. But the young man is not too far off. Responding from instructions coming from his corner, he attacked Pacquiao from all angles, simulating an advancing Juan Manuel Marquez. Garcia?s constant offense gave the Pacquiao team a very good chance to polish up Pacquiao?s defensive strategies.
Pacquiao showed an extraordinary speed in ducking Garcia?s punches that seemed to come from all angles. When he wasn?t weaving and ducking, he was blocking the shots with his gloves, shoulders and elbows and then throwing nice counters that seem to land on target more often than not.
The session today with his two sparmates appeared to be one dedicated to the enhancement of the different defense strategies formulated thus far. It is no small wonder that Roach and other Team Pacquiao members are limiting access to the gym so that there will be no leaks. With Roach and Boboy Fernandez at the corner giving instructions, Pacquiao seem to be sharpening them up to counter every possible offensive move thrown his way.
Although defense was the focus today, there were also some instructions from the corner regarding offense. It would be nice to discuss them too in this article, but that would be pre-empting what Pacquiao will bring to the ring on March 15th.
I guess it would be best if we all just wait for fight day to see them? or should I say -- see the new Pacquiao? in offense and defense.
And as I mentioned in the beginning of this report, it should be Juan Manuel Marquez who should come ready and prepared. Otherwise, it will be ?buenas noches, Juan!?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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