Philippines, 20 May 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:

  • It’s in the blood
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • “The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Rematch option for Melvin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
    , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Roy Jones Jr. Blasts Dana White and Zuffa’s Push to Reshape Boxing During Explosive “Boxing Primetime Show” Interview
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Jerusalem vs. Kuse II: High-Stakes Rematch in Johannesburg
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Hometown Hero Edward Vazquez Returns to ProBoxTV on Friday, June 5, to Face Mexico’s Daniel Lugo in the 10-round Main Event of ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • AQ Prime to host 2 big tournaments
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • June 6 announcement: Padley-Fiaz to Main Event in Sheffield after Galal Yafai setback
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Ready to Settle Unfinished Business in Saturday’s Hometown Rematch against Nahir Albright LIVE on DAZN
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Eros Correa vs. Anthony Garnica, Set to Clash for WBC Continental Americas Title.
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Eman-Perez rematch now title-match
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Montreal Experience greatly benefited Undefeated Kansas boxing prospect Marco Romero for this Saturday’s fight
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • ”MERCILESS” RAY MERCER TO ATTEND 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Fri, 15 May 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.