Philippines, 19 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


HORN IS UP AGAINST A FREAK


PhilBoxing.com




GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? Australian boxer Jeff Horn should be in his damnedest best come July 2 when he squares off with World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a premier Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

Horn is up against a freak.

During the entire training camp, Pacquiao has been a mean fighting machine ? relentless and tireless.

Pacquiao?s repertoire has been on flamboyant display, be it on the road during the roadwork or in the gym during the sparring session.

Everyday, since training coach Freddie Roach and conditioning guru Justine Fortune arrived, Pacquiao has been going through a combined 32 grueling rounds of sparring or mitts session, pounding the heavy bag, double-end bag and speed bag, shadow box and skipping rope inside the gym during the afternoon training session.

?My hunger and passion for the sport has never waned. That is why I am training as hard as this. When you train hard, the fight would be easy,? Pacquiao bared.

Pacquiao was scheduled to go on an uphill road run on Saturday morning a few hours before he and his entourage will fly out to Brisbane.

Pacquiao is set to leave Gensan for Brisbane via a chartered flight around 11:30 a.m. Saturday with around 200 people in tow.

Fortune said Pacquiao?s grueling uphill roadwork on a 1.9-kilometer, 42-degrees high Tinoto plateau is more of mental than physical.

Tinoto plateau is the take off point for the adrenalin-pumping paragliding adventure in the region.


Pacman with his sparring partners and local Pinoy boxers during roadwork leading to Pacman Beach Resort in Tinoto, Maasim, Sarangani Province. Photo by Aquiles Z. Zonio

?The road leading up to the paragliding site is steep. Going up there is energy-sapping and is a big mental challenge. His target is to finish the uphill run in 20 minutes,? Fortune said.

From the top, Pacquiao and his team will take the car going back to the main road then to Gensan.

Pacquiao used to go on a high-altitude road run in famous Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California.

?From the foothill up to the Dante?s Peak of Griffith Park, it?s about four miles and Manny can get it in just 35 minutes. Going up to Tinoto plateau is shorter but steeper compared to the Griffith Park,? Fortune bared.

According to Fortune, Pacquiao is now about 95 percent ready for the July 2 title defense of his WBO Welterweight crown.

?He?s a freak. He?s 38 years old but he remains relentless and tireless. The hardwork and work rate of this guy is incomparable. That?s why he is so special,? Fortune said.

There were times when his trainer and conditioning coach had to rein him in to avoid burnout.

?We don?t want him to peak early for the July 2 fight. So, sometimes we have to stop him,? Fortune said.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.