SPORTS SHORTS 167: MANNY PACQUIAO TRAINS HARD FOR ERROL SPENCE AS INJURED CONNOR MCGREGOR LOSES TO DUSTIN PORIER IN TRILOGY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 12 Jul 2021
Just four days after arriving Los Angeles from the Philippines by flying half the globe, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) immediately sparred four rounds with two taller and younger southpaws at the Wild Card Boxing Club in California.
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Also two representatives of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) collected blood sample after his workout and it was the second VADA test for Pacquiao this week. The senator cum boxing icon get rid of jet lag and observed strict training regimen when he arrived in the United States.
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Two to three hours were spent daily at the Wild Card Boxing Club every afternoon while his mornings include runs at either Pan Pacific Park or up the hills of Griffith Park to the landmark Hollywood Sign. It will be followed by a punishing nonstop exercise of 1,000 sit-ups.
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"Manny lives for the challenge and the competition. Manny loves hearing that the Las Vegas odds and the media favor Errol Spence," trainer Freddie Roach told ESPN. Pacquiao challenges the undefeated WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol "The Truth" Spence Jr. (27-0, 21 KOs) of Desoto, Texas on August 21.
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"Manny knows it's a tough fight, probably his toughest, but that's why he began his conditioning so early in the Philippines. Usually, jet lag keeps him out of the gym for one day the first week he arrives in Los Angeles. Not this time. He has been here every day, training two and half to three hours each afternoon."
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Roach commented that Pacquiao usually begins sparring a week after arriving in Los Angeles, but this time he sparred right away. "I usually hold off sparring the first week, but Manny insisted on sparring yesterday, so we brought in Maurice Lee (5'11) and Alexis Rocha (5'10), who went two rounds each," added Roach.
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Pacquiao has already accomplished more than what is expected in his boxing career including life's achievements. However this fight means so much to the future Hall of Famer. It is not only beating a younger, bigger and deadlier top pound-for-pound fighter or winning more title belts to his more than a dozen collection.
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"This time it's all about boxing immortality for Manny Pacquiao. I am a Red Sox fan, and I can tell he wants to go out like Ted Williams did, hitting a home run in his last at bat. By the way, Ted Williams was also 42 when he did that," concluded Roach.
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"What a great experience," said Lee, age 29, of Covina, California, who has a professional record of 12-1-2, 5 KOs. "I thought since he had just flown in from the Philippines, he would be a little tired and I could catch him with a few shots. But he was sharp, elusive, and unpredictable."
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Lee alias "Ambitious" was all impressed with Pacquiao adding: "Video tape does not prepare you for his speed and the angles he fights from. His punches were coming from everywhere. Calling him elite would be an understatement."
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"Sparring with Manny was definitely a learning experience," said Rocha, age 24, of Santa Ana, California, who was fresh from a second-round knockout victory over James Bacon on June 19, upgraded his record to 17-1, 11 KOs.
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"Manny has a very awkward style to fight because his punches come from all directions. He has fast and heavy hands and he throws punches in bunches," added "Lex" Rocha.
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Connor McGregor, the colorful mixed martial artist turned boxer whom Pacquiao wanted to fight, but was not realized because of his loss to Dustin Poirier last January 24, again lost to "The Diamond" in a trilogy on July 10 in UFC 264.
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Poirier now has two victories over the biggest box office draw in mixed martial arts. But the fight ended in a way most fans did not prefer. Poirier hit Conor McGregor with a combination at the end of the first round.
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McGregor positioned his left foot and his leg buckled, which crashed him on the mat. Poirier then pummeled him with several punches on the ground as the round ended.
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McGregor was visibly injured and referee Herb Dean stopped the lightweight bout. The official result was declared with Poirier winner by TKO (doctor's stoppage) at 5:00 of the first round.
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McGregor was carried in a stretcher to the hospital. The video replay showed McGregor's lower leg was flexed horribly when his foot landed on the canvas.
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UFC president Dana White later announced the injury was in McGregor's lower tibia and that he will undergo surgery Sunday.
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The unexpected ending disappointed the full-house audience. Mixed jeers and cheers were heard when Poirier was announced as the winner as the crowd were dissatisfied with the outcome of one of the most awaited trilogy in UFC.
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McGregor's loss and injury further hindered his possible return to boxing and his rumored match with Pacquiao could totally vanish in obscurity.
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Team USA suffered a stunning and dangerous defeat in its first exhibition game before the Tokyo Olympics, when they were trounced by Nigeria, 90-87 Saturday night.
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Before the game the American basketball team had a record of 54-2 in exhibition games since NBA stars began playing in 1992, and just nine years ago beat Nigeria by 83 points in the 2012 London Olympics. Five years ago, Team USA conquered Nigeria by 43 points in an exhibition game.
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Nigeria has seven NBA players currently playing in the pros, and displayed their exceptional talents in physical defense and 3-point shooting. The Americans started with five All-NBA team players but were unable to compete against the African champions who has more cohesiveness than the newly formed Team USA.
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In the second round of the NBA playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks had a similar situation against Phoenix Suns, losing the first two games. However, there were no big injuries to the Suns like those of the Nets in the second round.
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There have been only four times in NBA history when a team lost the first two games of the Finals and went on to win the title. They were the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), Miami Heat (2006), Portland Trail Blazers (1977) and Boston Celtics (1969).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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