EX-WORLD CHAMPS EYED AS PACQUIAO'S SPARMATES
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Feb 2014
Holt.
Team Manny Pacquiao is eyeing a four-man sparring group to help the eight-division champion prepare for his coming grudge rematch with World Boxing Organization Timothy Bradley on April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Two of those being eyed are former world belt-owners themselves - ex-International Boxing Federation Steve Forbes lightweight champ and once WBO junior welterweight titleholder Kendall Holt - who, most-likely would join the team when preparations move to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
A third choice, Lydell Rhodes, is already in General Santos City where Pacquiao is currently holding camp under assistant trainers - brothers Buboy Fernandez and Roger "Haplas" Fernandez.
A still unnamed mate will complete the four-member sparring team in the hope of providing the four-division lineal kingpin the needed power, speed and ring savvy he expects to come from Bradley. Rhodes, undefeated so far in 19 fights with 9 KOs, has been observing Pacquiao's training since arriving with the champ's business consultant Michael Koncz Sunday last week.
The sparring portion of the camp, according to Buboy, could start as early as next week when chief trainer Freddie Roach shall have set foot from Macau where he was supposed to supervise Chinese Olympian Zhou Shiming's fight against Thai Yokthong Kokietgym at the Cotai Arena Saturday night.
"Ready na si Manny sa sparring, kahit sa Monday magsimula," Buboy reported following the first two weeks at the Pacman Wild Card seats shop consisting of roadwork every morning and doing the mitts and visiting the heavy bags and bxall in the afternoon.
"Kondisyon na kasi nasu-suplementohan yung roadwork ng basketball sa gabi pagkatapos ng training sa maghapon," Buboy assured. Roach is expected to arrive in Manila today and will immediately take a flight to GenSan this afternoon.
Both the 35-year-old Sarangani Congressman and Roach promised to hand Bradley, who took the 147-pound title from Pacquiao via questionable split decision in 2012, not only his first loss but by a knockout at that.
Holt (28-6 with 15-KOs), Rhodes (19-0 with 9 KOs) and Forbes 35-12 with 11 KOs are reportedly mixers approximating Bradley's fighting style., which the Filipino ring icon needs to accomplish his mission of avenging that 2012 defeat.
Pacquiao, actually suffered a pair of setbacks that year, which he considers the bleakest spot in his otherwise successful and colorful 18-year boxing career counting his devastating KO loss to arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
He succeeded his initial comeback fight by overwhelming Brandon Rios in a 12-round unanimous decision November last year, also in Macau.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
No issues with fight ref
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Thu, 03 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 03 Jul 2025ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
Wed, 02 Jul 2025TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 02 Jul 2025What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 02 Jul 2025Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
Wed, 02 Jul 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025