PACQUIAO BEGINS TRAINING, ROACH HIRES TWO LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS AND ONE WELTERWEIGHT AS PACQUIAO'S SPARRING PARTNERS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Sep 2008
LOS ANGELES -- Filipino boxing superstar Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao has began training Wednesday afternoon (Thursday morning in Manila) at the famed Wildcard Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles embarking to what he termed as the 'greatest fight of his life' when he faces boxing's golden boy and one of the most popular boxers in decades Mexican-American Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 6.
The Wildcard Gym, located in the heart of Hollywood along Vine St., was teeming with people all morning but as soon as the Filipino phenom arrived past two o'clock in the afternoon, the gym was cleared to give way to what would probably be the longest and the one most intently watched and covered training camp of Pacquiao since he trailbazed America in 2001.
Two time trainer of the year and future hall-of-famer Freddie Roach, along with trusted lieutenants Buboy Fernandez, Nonoy Neri, Roger Fernandez, Eric Brown and chief aide Winchell Campos and official photographer Miguel Salazar were present to assist Pacquiao in his every move. This afternoon's training, postponed from the day before because Pacquiao was not feeling well, was very light as he did the mitts with Freddie Roach, the speed bag and shadow boxing.
The general mood in Pacquiao's first day of training was light as Manny joked around and was talking to everyone while he did his routine.
TWO LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS AND ONE WELTERWEIGHT HIRED AS PACQUIAO'S SPARRING PARTNERS
Roach said that Pacquiao, who now weights 147 lbs according to Neri with 80 days remaining before fight time, will do conditioning workouts for 10 days and begin light sparring right after.
Roach, who will most likely devise a strategy to neutralize De La Hoya's most dangerous weapon, his poweful left hook, hired two 154-pounders in Yuri Foreman (5'-11", 25-0 8KOs) and Arron Robinson (5'-10", 6-2-0 4KOs) and one welterweight (147 lbs) in Rashad Holloway (5'-11", 9-1-0 5KOs).
"They have all powerful left hooks," Roach said when asked what's so special with the three. Asked further if he was not worried of De La Hoya's right, Roach's quick reply was "he (De La Hoya) has no right. He has a jab but no right."
This was echoed by Holloway, who was also present. "My best weapon is my left hook and I'm raring to use it against Manny when I begin to spar with him," the well-built Raleigh, North Carolina native said.
Top photo: Manny Pacquiao (R) throws a right jab at trainer Freddie Roach during Pacquiao's first day of training at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles in preparation for his fight against Oscar de la Hoya on Dec 6 at MGM Grand & Casino in Las Vegas. Photo by Miguel Salazar / MP Promotions.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino 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 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024