THIS is according to American trainer Freddie Roach about his most prized ward, Manny Pacquiao, who may still be a work in progress. But the famed trainer assures the boxing champ will surprise the world again when he battles Sugar Shane Mosley May 7 for the WBO welterweight belt.
Roach said despite fewer distractions during their three-week training in Baguio City, the reigning pound-for-pound king is not taking his next title fight lightly.
“This fight is surely the toughest but I assure you, Manny is not taking this fight lightly,” Roach said shortly before their departure from Baguio, Friday morning.
Pacquiao, together with Roach and his entourage who arrived in Los Angeles Sunday morning, will begin the intensive final four weeks of training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
Despite missing one day of training while in Baguio City, Roach said Pacquiao has been training hard and at this point, he’s right on track.
“He’s going to hit the mark by the time we close down our training camp in Hollywood,” added Roach.
Welterweights Karim Mayfield and old reliable Rashad Halloway will be joining the sparring sessions for the next five weeks where training will focus mostly on strategy of the fighter cum lawmaker who is eyeing his 13th straight victory. Pacman’s only loss in the past decade was in 2005.
Named the “Fighter of the Decade” by the Boxing Writers Association of America, Pacquiao will be making his first ring appearance in The Fight Capital of the World since 2009.
Pacquiao spent at least three weeks in the Summer Capital where sparring sessions began on their last week.
The eight weight division champion sparred for four rounds last Tuesday then had another five rounds in Thursday’s work-out with Shawn Porter and David Rodela.
