With less than two months to train for Oscar Larios, Manny Pacquiao will double his effort in the gym to quash the possibility of an upset win by the Mexican in their 12-round bout at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2.
Pacquiao’s chief second Buboy Fernandez told The Star yesterday, before leaving on a morning flight to Tokyo, he is convinced the “Mexican Killer” will be more than prepared for the fight despite Larios’ two-week headstart in training.
Fernandez flew to Tokyo with trainer Robert Bubuli to accompany Jimrex Jaca in his quest for the vacant Oriental superfeatherweight title against Nobuhito Honmo at the Korakuen Hall this Saturday. Fernandez and Jaca’s manager Rex (Wakee) Salud leave Tokyo for Los Angeles to join Pacquiao on Sunday.
Fernandez said he spoke to Pacquiao before the fighter left Manila for Los Angeles with associate Joe Ramos last Monday night.
“Sabi ni Manny, he’ll train even harder for Larios than (Erik) Morales, two times harder,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez disclosed that a week before leaving, Pacquiao began limbering up by punching the mitts with alternate trainer Boy Sonsona at the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque and jogging for 40 minutes at a nearby memorial park.
“It’s not true he’s taking it easy in training,” said Fernandez. The commercial shoots are only from 1 to 4 p.m.. For over a week, he ran in the morning and slept early.
Fernandez said Pacquiao will be ready to fight Larios any way the Mexican chooses.
“Sa tingin namin ni (trainer) Freddie (Roach), tatakbo si Larios kaya ang preparasyon ni Manny ay kung paano mag-cut off ng ring,” added Fernandez. “Kung tumakbo o hindi si Larios, okay lang kay Manny. Para-paraan lang ‘yan. Alam niya ang dapat gawin. Higit pa sa pinakita niya kay Morales ang gagawin niya kay Larios.”
Fernandez said he has carefully studied Larios’ style from tapes of his fights against Israel Vazquez, Wayne McCullough and Nedal Hussein. Larios outpointed Hussein who floored Pacquiao before he was stopped on cuts.
In Los Angeles, Fernandez said Pacquiao will not only run around hilly Griffith Park but also go up and down the observatory, an uphill climb to the top of the terrain. Conditioning will be a factor in deciding the outcome of the fight because Larios is known to be a stickler for training.
Fernandez said Pacquiao is not taking Larios lightly although he is already looking forward to facing Morales again, tentatively on Nov. 18. Morales was recently quoted belittling Pacquiao’s power, saying he lost by knockout because of exhaustion last January and in their next meeting, he promised to shame the Filipino.
Fernandez couldn’t be sure when Pacquiao will return to Manila. He said it will be June 3 at the earliest and June 15 at the latest. In either case, Fernandez said Pacquiao will train in Baguio City where the workouts will be closed to the public, including media. Pacquiao will come back with Roach and Fernandez.
Fernandez said Pacquiao reminded him to bring his vitamins and other training gear to Los Angeles and also to light a candle for him at the Sto. Nino shrine in Cebu. Fernandez said he lights a candle for Pacquiao in church a week before a fight.
Fernandez said it’s not too late for Pacquiao to work himself into tip-top shape for Larios. There are 45 days to go before the fight and Fernandez assured that’s enough time for Pacquiao to prepare for the Mexican.
