Philippines, 01 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PACQUIAO ENTERS SEMI-HARD PHASE OF TRAINING


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU CITY--Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao has entered what trainers call the "semi-hard" phase of his training for his October 6 return showdown with Marco Antonio Barrera, and looks every inch ready to put in the hard work as he continues to work out at the Rex 'Wakee' Salud gym here.

Pacquiao did not spar yesterday, but did three rounds of shadow-boxing, banged away at the mitts for ten rounds although trainer Freddie Roach scheduled only a 7-round session, did ten minutes with the speedball and another ten minutes skipping rope.

Aside from Roach and Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez, former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa has also joined the team to contribute his expertise in making sure Barrera does not get his much-cherished revenge on the Filipino icon.

Pacquiao was also elated when Bacolod Representative Monico Puentebella dropped by at the gym yesterday to see how he was doing in training.


Pacquiao (R) doing the double-end speedball routine as trainers Roach (L) and Fernandez look on. An interested onlooker is Bacolod City congressman Monico Puentebella (2nd from right) who dropped by Salud's gym yesterday.


Pacquiao's Mexican sparmates Raymundo Beltran and David Rodela (L) prepare themselves for today's sparring session with Manny.

"Manny looks good. He's in great form. But he should know how to pace himself in training," said Puentebella after observing from ringside Pacquiao's almost three-hour session.

Pacquiao is set to spar today against Mexican sparmates David Rodela and Raymundo "Sugar" Beltran.

Roach also noted that he might bring in a Filipino sparmate--Arniel Tinampay, nationally-rated fighter who has been sparring against Pacquiao when he trained for big fights in Davao City.

"I might also decide to call in Speedy Gonzalez much earlier, depending on how these two Mexican boys hold up against Manny. It might be sooner or later," Roach said when asked as to when the third Mexican sparmate is set to arrive.

Pacquiao looked jovial yesterday all throughout the session, a stark contrast to his workouts the last several days.

"Mas nagustuhan kasi ni Manny yung mag train at 3PM, kasi hindi na masyadong mainit ang araw. Pag mag start kami ng maaga, masyadong mainit kaya nahirapan siya," said Fernandez.

Meanwhile, an HBO crew is set to arrive on Tuesday in Cebu, and will film Pacquiao's training on Thursday and Friday next week as part of the 24/7 program they are preparing for the rematch at Mandalay Bay.

"They are arriving on Tuesday, and will film on Thursday and Friday. They're going to do a 24/7 for this fight," said Roach.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.