Manny Pacquiao is running out sparring partners again and American trainer Freddie Roach is in frantic search of a quality practice boxer to fully prepare the Filipino ring icon for the March 19 encounter with Mexican hero Erik Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao has already completed 70 rounds of sparring sessions with Justin Juuko, Sugar Raymundo Beltran, Javier Garcia, Maikito Martinez and Israel Vasquez at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.
Badly beaten
Each of the five sparring partners receives $500 a week for three to six rounds of boxing every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Roach fears that they could not last longer since the five boxers are already badly beaten by the powerful punches of the Filipino ring gladiator.
With this development, the 2003 Trainer of the Year has invited Oscar Salido to become Pacquiao?s new sparring partner. Salido lost to Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC/IBF title last September by decision.
Eyeing Hussein
However, Salido was not able to arrive the other day due to visa problems. But Roach is optimistic the Mexican world-title challenger can catch up and get his first crack at Pacquiao in sparring session.
Roach likes Salido?s staying power and quickness, which could give Pacquiao a good training on neutralizing Morales? quickness.
If Salido cannot make it, Roach is eyeing Australian-based Lebanese Nedal Hussein as another sparring partner.
Hussein fought Pacquiao in 2000 in Antipolo City, decking the Filipino once before losing by technical decision due to cuts.
