Pacquiao spars with Venezuelan Linares!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Dec 2005
Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao sparred with Japan-based Venezuelan Jorge Linares yesterday, virtually allowing the southpaw Gensan fighter a murderer's row of sparmates that will help him prepare for his January 21 return battle with Mexico's Erik "El Terrible" Morales.
The undefeated Linares (18-0, 11 KO's), nicknamed "El Nino de Oro" and managed by influential Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda, was at the Wild Card Gym accompanied by his promoter and sparred for a few rounds with Pacquiao.
Rex "Wakee" Salud, a close associate of the Filipino hero, also informed that Pacquiao did not put too much pressure on the young Linares during their first sparring session, but hinted he might go all-out once they spar again this week.
Linares is priming up for his January 7 bout against Philippine featherweight champ Jeffrey Onate in Tokyo being put up by Honda's Teiken Promotions. Last September, Linares figured in a near-tragic fight with Filipino Ayon Naranjo, after the latter was hospitalized following a 6-round bout with the Venezuelan.
Meanwhile, reports coming out of Mexico have indicated that Morales has now switched to using the 'punchers' gloves,' Cleto Reyes, in preparing for the rematch with Pacquiao.
Both Morales and Pacquiao used the Japan-made Winning gloves during their first fight, and Team Pacquiao had used the gloves issue as one of the reasons for Pacquiao's loss. The thickly-padded Winning gloves, according to Roach, does not fit well for a pure puncher like Pacquiao.
For the rematch, the two fighters will get the chance to choose the gloves of their own liking, with Pacquiao expected to use Cleto Reyes and Winning for Morales.
Meanwhile, although there was no lavish birthday celebration when he turned 27 last December 17, Team Pacquiao - made up of promoter Gary Shaw, trainer Freddie Roach, Nick Khan and Keith Davidson - were reportedly with the Filipino star on the evening of his birthday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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