LOS ANGELES — As temperatures begin to drop, the heat will intensify at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood in the coming days as Manny Pacquiao is set to work out with lanky lightweight Jose Sta. Cruz and Israel Vazquez leading to his Sept. 10 duel with Hector Velazquez.
On Monday, Pacquiao went six rounds with Vazquez and his showing in front of conditioning coach Justin Fortune only showed that he is slowly easing back into competitive form. The last time the two sparred last week, Vazquez stood his ground and even hit Pacquiao with his favorite punches.
But when they locked horns anew, Pacquiao came in a more prepared, even allowing Vazquez to hit him to the body at will.
“Gumaganda na ang kundisyon ko,” said Pacquiao, who jogged five laps at the Pan Pacific Park before heading to the Wild Card Gym. Freddie Roach was not yet around and gym rats said the goatied cornerman will report for work on Tuesday after a brief vacation in Canada.
Sta. Cruz was also supposed to show up on Monday, but later said he will be in on Wednesday instead, Fortune said.
Another sparmate, Jason Litzau of Minnesota, was supposed to plane in, but he was shelved after the unbeaten prospect demanded for the moon and the skies.
“Nagsisimula ng bumalik ang aking bilis. Ilang araw na lang at lalong gaganda ang kundisyon ko,” added Pacquiao, who is coming off a decision loss to Erik Morales.
Next in line for Pacquiao is a rematch with Morales sometime in January 2006 in Las Vegas, according to his handlers.
That bout, however, is dependent on a victory over Velasquez.
