Only two weeks into his Baguio training camp ahead of his May showdown with Shane Mosley, and numerous reports are stating that pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao is already looking sharp and in shape.
So much so in fact that he is well ahead of schedule and according to several recent interviews from trainer Freddie Roach will soon be ready to begin sparring.
Sparring partners Shawn Porter and David Rodela having recently arrived and WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan also on location preparing for his April bout with Paul McCloskey.
As well as things are going now though, this hasn’t always been the case where Pacquiao and training in Baguio is concerned.
After his November fight with Antonio Margarito, many fans questioned the wisdom of returning to the mountain city training camp, and remember the difficulties being reported from camp prior to Pacquiao’s light middleweight title bid.
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Firstly there were less than ideal weather conditions to contend with, a typhoon was blowing through the area at one point and although it didn’t hit the camp directly the wind and rain it brought with it were problematic for roadwork and Pacquiao’s travel plans.
Then came reports of Pacquiao having trouble with motivation, apparently remarking to Freddie Roach at one point that he was missing his other job as a congressman.
As per usual there were other distractions to contend with, fans and media flocking to the gym to meet the champion, social functions in Manila to attend to, as well as basketball games after training.
There were also even unsubstantiated reports of sparring partners getting the better of Pacquiao, and in one case, even knocking him down. Naturally this was later denied by all parties, but the fact that it was reported at all was seen as a bad sign at the time.
In the end of course, Pacquiao was as ever in excellent shape and battered Antonio Margarito over 12 rounds to win the WBC light middleweight title.
Some of the reports on Pacquiao’s lack of progress last time around could perhaps be attributed to the fact that he was uncomfortable trying to train at a heavier weight than he ever had before.
Extra marketing for the fight was also likely another factor, as was taking attention away from the debate over whether Margarito deserved the fight so soon after his loaded hand wrap suspension.
Photos: Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao making fast progress in Baguio
So why the sudden improvement this time around?
For one thing, the weather is better than the last time around, and back at welterweight Pacquiao’s training, diet and sparring are likely more comfortable.
From the tone of several Pacquiao interviews since the fight with Mosley was announced, it also seems as if he regards Mosley as a more dangerous proposition than he did Margarito. Which perhaps explains why he began training early and isn’t having any problems with motivation.
In either case, it appears that for the time being, Baguio is once more paying off for Pacquiao.
Sam Weston, Pitt: “Baguio is quieter than Manila or L.A at least, the weather is always a danger though”
Willie Elton, Philly: “When he’s fighting in the U.S it would be easier to just train here as well, Freddie Roach even agrees with that”
