A day after setting the Wild Card Boxing Club on fire, Manny Pacquiao slowed down a bit on Tuesday when he sparred for a total of six rounds.
The culprit: jet lag.
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, on hand to watch Pacquiao bang bodies with Ray Beltran and a Russian puncher, thought the Filipino fighter ?was a bit rusty.?
Still Arum believes isn?t worried, confident that Pacquiao will reach peak form in time for his fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
?Freddie (Roach) said that usually happens during Manny?s first day (of sparring),? the 80-year-old Top Rank big boss told the Bulletin.
Even Pacquiao?s adviser Mike Koncz admitted that the effects of jet lag affected Pacquiao?s movement against perennial sparmate Ray Beltran ?and against a new, you Russian guy who fights like Marquez.?
Koncz said the Russian fighter ?had a decorated amateur career? and whose style is suited for this training camp.
It was only Pacquiao?s second appearance at the Wild Card after arriving from the Philippines on Saturday night.
During his first workout on Monday, Pacquiao gave Roach a reason to smile as they immediately did almost 12 rounds with the punch mitts.
?Freddie seemed very please,? said noted publicist Fred Sternburg, who was present during Pacquiao?s first day at the gym.
Lee Samuels, who is Top Rank?s head for media relations, echoed Sternburg?s observations.
?Manny looks very strong and focused,? said Samuels.
Meanwhile, Marquez is also notching up a few sparring rounds under the watchful eyes of Nacho Beristain in Mexico City.
Marquez said he has actually been in training mode the past six months as he is aiming no less than a knockout win to avoid being screwed by the judges again.
Pacquiao is a 4-1 favorite against Marquez.
