Manny Pacquiao’s training for Oscar Larios is right on track.
Since reporting for training last May 17, Pacquiao’s weight has considerably gone down and this is a good sign as the Filipino is beginning to get into the thick of preparations for his July 2 battle with Larios at the Araneta Coliseum.
“It is physically noticeable,” said Canadian boxing man Mike Koncz yesterday.
Koncz is a familiar figure at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California, as he helps in the training of Manny’s younger brother Bobby, who faces Kevin Kelley of the US on June 10 in New York.
“Manny and I had a long talk the other day and he is 100 percent focused on his training and the July 2 fight. This is evident by the fact that he will not be accompanying us to New York on June 5 for Bobby’s June 10 fight,” said Koncz.
“Also, Freddie will be staying back to be with Manny. In addition, a number of times when Manny and Freddie are doing mitts Manny will continue beyond the three minute round. Also, I can personally confirm that a few nights ago we had dinner together and he wanted to be home by 9 p.m. so he could get a good sleep and he in fact did go back to his apartment.” added Koncz.
Pacquiao, 27, plans to stay and train at the Wild Card until June 20, the day he flies back to Manila together with Roach via Philippine Airlines.
Larios, 29, is in the final phase of his training in Guadalajara and is booked to go to Tokyo sometime this week for four weeks of intense training at the Teiken Boxing Gym owned by Japanese boxing impresario Akihiko Honda.
Larios, the heavy underdog against Pacquiao, is arriving in Manila a week or five days before the match.
