Things did not go as planned yesterday, Thursday in the Philippines for Manny Pacquiao and his team when his intended sparring partner did not show up in General Santos City.
Pacquiao is supposed to start sparring Thursday against welterweight Min Wook-Kim of South Korea but Kim is nowhere to be found. The South Korean boxer who was recommended by ring legend and friend, Gerry Penalosa to Team Pacquiao cannot be reached as of press time according to Penalosa.
?Umalis at nawala daw sa bahay nila si Min, off daw ang phone. I think me misunderstanding sa group nila,? Penalosa told this Philboxing.com correspondent.
(Min left home, his phone is off. I think there is a misunderstanding within his group.)
Penalosa who is unable to get a clear answer from his contacts in South Korea stated that Min has not arrived in the Philippines yet.
Wasting no time, assistant trainer, Nonoy Neri tapped the services of a local fighter to be Pacquiao?s dance partner in a planned sparring session this afternoon, Friday in the Philippines.
Neri hired 23-year old, Marlon Alta (12-3, 9 KOs) to spar against Pacquiao today. Alta is a young and rugged middleweight who is also from Pacquiao?s home town of General Santos City.
?Kumuha ako ibang mag sparing kay Manny, Pilipino. Bukas start kami mag-sparring,? Neri told Philboxing Thursday night.
Neri said that Pacquiao and Alta will be sparring for at least four rounds Friday afternoon. This will be Pacquiao?s first for this camp.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and is on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Photo: Middleweight Marlon Alta (R) is set to spar with Manny Pacquiao Friday in General Santos.
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