LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao said he’s in the best shape of his life. Six days from now, he added that he’s in for the biggest fight of his life.
“The fight is getting closer and I’m very excited,” said the Filipino southpaw shortly after wrapping up training at the Wild Card Gym Saturday, which got real colder due to rains in the morning.
Pacquiao’s training sessions at the gym owned by Freddie Roach, his chief handler, have been behind closed doors except last Wednesday when he held a public workout.
Next Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Pacquiao faces Erik Morales in the much-awaited rematch of their 2005 encounter won by the Mexican at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao said he expects a different ending this time.
“I lost the first fight because I underestimated him. I gave him the confidence. This is the biggest fight of my life,” Pacquiao, in his own words, told the foreign media inside the gym.
“I think Morales is in good shape and he trained hard. He is a good boxer,” added Pacquiao, seeking a victory that should set up a third and probably the last fight between the two great fighters.
Again, Pacquiao said he’s in the best shape possible. This is his ninth fight in the US since 2001 and has gone 5-1-2 (win-loss-draw) with five knockouts.
“I’m scared everytime I fight. I’m scared if I’m not in shape. But now? I’m in great shape and I’m ready to fight,” said the 130 lb machine who concludes his six-week training on Monday.
“Both fighters like to fight. I like this fight,” he said.
Pacquiao and his entourage travel to Las Vegas on that day for the Jan. 21 fight at the 16,000-seat Thomas and Mack Center. In the morning of Monday he spars for the last time. He will do four rounds.
Pacquiao has already done over 120 rounds of sparring against a handful of partners since he arrived here last Dec. 3. It’s probably the toughest he’s ever done preparing for a fight.
Pacquiao really looks in great shape when training. He’s moving better and training behind closed doors has helped a lot in that he gets to focus harder unlike before.
Pacquiao said they’ve developed something new in training.
“We have new techniques but I can’t say it. It’s a secret,” added the native of Gen. Santos City. Roach, however, may have had some slip of the tongue later on.
“Manny’s getting more confident with his right hand. It might be the key. That’s going to spell the difference,” said Roach who’s been behind Pacquiao since the latter started fighting in the US.
Whether or not Roach is right will be known on fight night.
