TWO days of training in Baguio proved to be enough to determine the condition of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
Buboy Fernandez, trainer and long-time friend of the fighting congressman from Saranggani province, was quick to notice that the Filipino boxing icon is far from his usual deadly form.
?Normal lang naman na magkaroon ng increased heart rate since he hasn?t been active in months,? said Fernandez.
The trainer noted that Pacquiao struggled running uphill in his roadwork, but Fernandez is confident that Pacquiao, known for his tremendous work ethic when preparing for a fight, will regain his peak form in time.
Team Pacquiao?s concern in preparation for his third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada is to get Pacquiao in shape the soonest possible time.
But while speed and stamina will be crucial, the trainer noted that Pacquiao?s mental aspect will play a major role, especially when he gets into the ring with a skillful and smart fighter like Marquez.
?Kabisado niya (Marquez) kasi lumaro sa mga kaliwete,? said Fernandez.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao continues to hang on to the no.1 spot as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world despite Floyd Mayweather Jr.?s controversial fourth-round, knockout victory over Victor Ortiz.
?Mayweather can?t leave boxing for 16 months, defeat a good (not special) opponent in a less-than-satisfying manner and expect to regain his status as the no. 1 fighter in the world,? said RingTV.com?s Michael Rosenthal.
Mayweather, who kept his unbeaten record after 42 fights, is no.2 in the pound-for-pound category of Ring Magazine, regarded as the bible of boxing. Rey Joble
