Two-division world champion Gerry Pe?alosa has been a familiar fixture in almost every training camp of Manny Pacquiao in the United States.
The two actually even sparred when Pacquiao was preparing for his first-ever shot at the world crown, the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight belt which was then held by Thai legend Chatchai Sasakul. Pacquiao stopped Sasakul in the eighth round to claim the crown back in 1998.
On Monday afternoon, Pe?alosa opened the doors of his Mandaluyong gym to Pacquiao, who arrived on the same day in Manila after several hours of land trip from Baguio City.
After seeing Pacquiao complete his day’s training that included punch mitts, skipping rope and speedball, Pe?alosa told GMANews.TV that he’s still in awe at how the current pound-for-pound king continues to improve his skills.
Pacquiao is preparing for his battle with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight ruler Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on November 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“Lumaki na talaga siya (Pacquiao) pero ibang klase yung improvement ng bilis at lakas niya. Akala ko babagal siya nang konti kasi magdadagdag siya ng timbang,” said Pe?alosa, a former superflyweight and bantamweight champion.
When Pacquiao ascended to full-fledged boxing stardom, Pe?alosa was his training buddy at Hollywood’s Wild Card Gym where they are both trained by famed guru Freddie Roach.
“Ibang klase talaga kung training ang pag-uusapan kay Manny. Buhos talaga lahat sa kanya kaya naman ganito na kalayo ang narating niya,” added Pe?alosa.
Out of Baguio
Pacquiao has cut short his Baguio training and is now in Manila to avoid the impending storm in Northern Luzon.
“Kahit na Baguio, Manila o US ang training ni Manny, basta may gym hindi problema ang paghahanda niya. Hindi na issue sa kanya kung masama panahon basta may bubong yung gym, walang problema kay Manny,” added Pe?alosa.
On Tuesday afternoon, Pacquiao is set to go 10-rounds in sparring with sparmates Shawn Porter, an undefeated light middleweight prospect, welterweight campaigner Danny Escobar and two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo.
Initially, Team Pacquiao was scheduled to leave Baguio and proceed to Manila on Oct. 23 then leave for the United States on the 24th.
But since weather authorities announced the possibility of typhoon “Ramil” affecting huge part of Northern Luzon starting Wednesday, Pacquiao decided to leave the summer capital.
Concerns were raised by fans of Pacquiao after typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” wrought havoc in Northern Luzon that made Baguio isolated for a few days. Pacquiao has been training in the City of Pines the last four weeks.
But despite the bad weather, famed trainer Freddie Roach said it never affected their preparation as only Pacquiao’s morning road work was scuttled for at least two days.
From Manila, Pacquiao will resume his training at Roach’s Wild Card Gym starting next week before tapering off on the week of his upcoming fight in Las Vegas. – GMANews.TV
