Knowing fully well that Marco Antonio Barrera will come into their October 6 fight armed to the teeth, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is said to be experimenting on new techniques and combinations that are expected to make things difficult for the Mexican hero.
“Both Pacquiao and Freddie did some new stuff today. I am not at liberty to divulge them, but they are doing some new things,” said chief of staff Jayke Joson after today’s training session at the Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud gym in Cebu City.
Pacquiao is expected to spar again today, and four sparmates–two Mexicans and two Filipinos–are on standby to help Pacquiao get in the needed rounds. (pictured left: Trainer Freddie Roach gives poitners to Mexican sparring partner Raymundo Beltran)
There were no signs of the flu virus that downed Pacquiao over the weekend, as the Filipino superstar looked in high spirits and as usual, raring to go beyond what was required of him during today’s training session.
“They did the punchmitt, and normally, there’s a one-minute rest period in between rounds. But Pacquiao wouldn’t stop. He would continue hitting the mitts even during breaks,” said Joson.
On Saturday, Pacquiao is slated to have a media and fans’s day, where among those expected to visit the gym are 43 kinds from a local pre-school.
“Pacquiao has always had a soft spot for young children. So when the request for the kids to drop by was forwarded, both Pacquiao and Roach approved it,” said another source. “The kids are reportedly preparing a song for Pacquiao when they come this Saturday.”
Unlike the circus-like atmosphere in the first few days of Pacquiao’s training camp, trainer Freddie Roach has been successful at reining in casual fans, politicians, and the media and has put the gym virtually locked to the public.
“Pacquiao is now enjoying a peaceful gym. He now even has a sound system where they play his favorite music while training, of course except when sparring and when he hits the mitts,” said a source.
Pacquiao is about to end his third week of training, and has already logged in close to 50 rounds of sparring in preparation for Barrera.
“Weight will not be a problem. We’re on track to make weight. Everything is on schedule,” informs Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s Filipino trainer.
Team Pacquiao has also tapped the services of former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa as conditioning coach.
Team Pacquiao is scheduled to leave the Philippines on September 23, will stay one week in Los Angeles, before heading off to Las Vegas a week before the fight.
