PACQUIAO DOING FINE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Jun 2008
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has recovered from a cold and cough and is ?doing fine? according to Michael Koncz, an adviser of the WBC super featherweight champion with close ties to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Koncz said that Pacquiao sparred ten good rounds yesterday with four different sparring partners including veteran southpaw Steve ?The Mongoose? Quinonez and 22 year old Noel Rodriguez who has been described as a ?pressure fighter.?
Koncz revealed that Rodriguez was ?a little bit taller than we wanted but he had the same style as (David) Diaz? the WBC lightweight champion whose title Pacquiao is going after in the ?Lethal Combination? fight card at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino on June 28.
Koncz said Rodriguez, the youngster from Texas with a record of 13-2-1 with 5 knockouts is ?strong and forces Manny to keep his hands up. He is a very tough sparring mate.? Koncz added that Quinonez is ?not so strong but still provides good sparring? for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, the WBC super featherweight champion will host a media luncheon on Wednesday in Los Angeles at Cox Communications next to PETCO Park. Koncz said that instead of doing the public-press workout at the Wild Card Gym on Saturday they decided to go outdoors in ?anticipation of a big crowd.? The venue will be the Little Philippines Lake Street Park.
When asked whether the promotional activities as well as his cold proved to be a setback to Pacquiao?s training regimen, Koncz said he didn?t think so because Pacquiao ?reported to camp in very good condition and because of the short time in-between fights he retained probably fifty percent of his conditioning.? He also noted that Pacquiao, unlike in the past, didn?t engage in any ?inappropriate activities and took care of himself.?
Koncz said that even celebrated trainer Freddie Roach was surprised during the first week of training because Pacquiao was ?in such good condition.? Roach thinks that Pacquiao is still ahead of schedule ?so he holds him back once in a while? added Koncz.
Discussing the possibilities of a fight against Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton, Koncz disclosed the plan is to take it one step at a time pointing out they have to see how Pacquiao does against Diaz. He said that if Pacquiao ?finishes the fight quickly then that opens up options for us. If it goes twelve rounds then we have to evaluate. There is no rush to jump to another weight division.?
Koncz said he, just like Roach and Arum, disagree that Diaz is not a formidable opponent reminding fight fans that Diaz is a world champion and very durable. He said the question is ?can Manny handle the natural power of a 135 pound champion.? Koncz believe that Pacquiao will ?have more power now because he struggled in his last two fights to make the weight. It is a test for Manny.?
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