HOLLYWOOD — Manny Pacquiao faced the mirror, raised his T-shirt up to his chest and smiled. He liked what he saw.
?Ang payat ko na (I?m already thin),? said Pacquiao after his sparring session Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). ?Buto na (I?m all bones).?
With 11 days to go before he challenges Juan Manuel Marquez for the Mexican?s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown, Pacquiao no longer worries about his weight. Or his physical conditioning for that matter.
?Wala na akong kaba (I?m no longer nervous),? said Pacquiao, referring to Pacquiao-Marquez II set on March 15 in Las Vegas. ?Ayos na ang buto-buto (Everything is in order).?
This marks the second meeting between two of the world?s best super featherweights. Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a controversial draw in 2008, but money problems have always stymied a possible rematch.
Pacquiao decked Marquez three times in the first round in that match, but the Mexican rallied to forge the draw.
As usual, Pacquiao was relentless and tireless throughout the two-hour closed-door session at renowned trainer Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym here.
Pacquiao did not even take a rest after sparring for four rounds each against super featherweight Juanito Garcia and lightweight Ramon Montano. He just took off his sweaty black shirt, changed into a white one and proceeded to hit the bags, the mitts and the speedball with blurring speed.
During sparring, he allowed the taller Garcia and Montano to catch him on the ropes before unleashing a torrent of short punches reminiscent of the late Fernando Poe Jr. in his movies.
Pacquiao also showed a ?spin move?, patterned after a dribbling crossover, that allows him to move out of harm?s way and be at the side of his opponent.
?I?m using Energizer (batteries),? said Pacquiao in explaining where he draws power to sustain such a blistering pace.
He then proceeded to skip ropes for nine minutes, shadow-box for another nine minutes and then did some footwork exercises with Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez.
Just when the few gym regulars and several media crew thought he was done for the day, Pacquiao asked for a glass of warm water and, after a few sips, limbered up with abdominal exercises.
By the time the workout was over, around 30 fans, mostly Los Angeles-based Filipinos and a handful of Mexicans had managed to enter Roach?s sweaty gym atop a laundromat.
They waited as Pacquiao took a shower and were rewarded as their idol gladly signed souvenir items and joined them in photo sessions. Pacquiao said he is happy he has rekindled his passion for fighting.
?Balik na ulit sa pagka-uhaw (My thirst is back),? said Pacquiao, adding that he has never trained as hard before.
?I?m doing everything in excess,? said Pacquiao. ?Before 26-28 rounds are enough, now I?ve gone up to 38 rounds. Before I ran for 30 minutes, now I?m running for 50 minutes.
?I?m really excited to bring my ?Unfinished Business? with Marquez to a close.?
