Pacquiao in crucial training phase for Margarito bout

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao admitted that he is about to enter a critical stage in his training camp this week for his bout against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 13 (November 14 in Manila).

“Inaasahang mag-iispar ako ng 12 rounds bukas o sa makalawa, at ito ang isa sa pinakamahirap na yugto ng training matapos kaming nag-spar ng 11 rounds noong Huwebes (It is expected that I will spar for 12 rounds tomorrow or the next day, and this is one of the hardest stages in training after we sparred for 11 rounds last Thursday),” he said in his October 31 “Kumbinasyon” column on PhilBoxing.com.

His sparring partners in Los Angeles, California include Rashad Holloway, Rey Beltran and David Rodela.

The boxer-congressman said that after the first week of November, the number of his sparring rounds will be lessened as the fight approaches.

The 7-division world champion also wrote that he is training hard because he knows that his foe is working just as hard in his training camp.

“Ayon sa mga bali-balita, si Antonio Margarito ng Mexico, na siya kong makakaharap sa isa sa pinakamahirap kong laban, ay handang-handa na rin, (According to reports, Antonio Margarito of Mexico, whom I will face in one of my most difficult fights, is also ready),” he said.

Strong motivation

Pacquiao added: “Alam kong matindi ang motibasyon ni Margarito kaya naman pinagbubuti ko rin ang pagsasanay para sa mahalagang laban na ito (I know that Margarito has a strong motivation that is why I am working hard on my training for this important fight).”

He and Margarito will clash for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Sarangani province congressman added that he hopes to set another record by clinching his 8th world title in 8 different weight divisions.

“Kung tayo po ay papalarin sa pagsubok na ito, mapagbubuti natin ang record na hinahawakan ng isang Filipino (If we will prevail in this test, we will be able to improve the record held by a Filipino),” he noted.

The “Pacman” also said that he is still aiming to reach the best condition needed for the Margarito fight. He and his team will move the training camp to Texas next week. – With a report from PhilBoxing.com


Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacman dominates bigger sparmates

BAGUIO City—Based on what an iconic observer inside the closed-door sparring session saw yesterday, a Manny Pacquiao moving up in weight will have no problem dealing with bigger guys.

The country’s first-ever two division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa told Manila Standard that Pacquiao tried to work on his defense by allowing fellow world champion Amir Khan to be on the attack in the first two of their four-round joust.

Beyond those two defense-oriented rounds, Pacquiao then went on the offensive and showed exceptional power and agility against two other taller sparmates Glen Tapia and Michael Medina, who are here to simulate the Filipino’s opponent Antonio Margarito of Mexico.

“He dominated Amir the next two rounds, then bloodied the nose of Tapia before taking it easy with his third sparring partner,” said Penalosa, who was awed with Pacquiao’s punching power despite using 16-ounce gloves.

It was the first sparring session between the two world champions since Khan arrived in Pacquiaos training camp nearly two weeks ago. Yesterday, Pacquiao completed 10 rounds of sparring.

The lanky 23-year-old Khan, set to see action in mid-December, came here specifically to start his conditioning regimen with coach Alex Ariza and trainer Freddie Roach.

“I want to be ready in case Margarito shows improvement with his speed, that’s why I insisted on sparring with Khan,” said Pacquiao.

Roach initially said there was of little use in sparring with Khan since the British kingpin is way faster and a much better fighter than Margarito, a former welterweight world champion, who will battle Pacquiao for the vacant World Boxing Council junior middleweight crown on Nov. 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Penalosa, who reigned as world junior flyweight and flyweight champion in the 1980s, disclosed that Pacquiao assured him the pound-for-pound king will be moving much better inside the ring the rest of the training camp.

He said he felt a bit sluggish because of the plyometric exercises but since he has concluded his drills last Monday, he expects to have better movement from hereon, said Penalosa.

Tomorrow, Pacquiao will have his last sparring session at Cooyeesans Shape-Up gym, before traveling back to Manila later in the evening.


Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com