THE smiles across the faces of the members of Team Pacquiao and the Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao himself after a rigorous final workout yesterday, said it all.
Even members of the media, who sat and watched the southpaw from General Santos City go through the full gamut of his workout routine at the Amateur Boxing Association Gym at the Rizal Memorial Complex, were amazed at how awesome he looked despite the stifling heat.
Pacquiao sparred five rounds with Russian lightweight Rustam Nugaev before celebrated trainer Freddie Roach called it off after the Pacman nailed the taller fighter with some vicious, rapid-fire combinations.
The Filipino champion clearly caused Roach some pain when he blasted the punch mitts with both fists blazing, highlighted by a terrific right hook and uppercut which are the latest additions to his growing offensive arsenal.
When it was all over after several hours, Pacquiao himself wanted to continue because he was feeling real good. He then sidled up and asked us, “How do you like my right hook?”
One word. Awesome, just like the entire workout.
Manager Shelly Finkel, who watched the workout together with lawyer Nick Kahn told Viva Sports/Standard Today: “Manny looked phenomenal on the mitts today and the combinations were coming off four, five at a time. He looks great and you could see he is developing a full arsenal of punches, rights and lefts from all angles.”
Finkel said Pacquiao is focused and doesn’t want to be embarrassed in his home country because he knows Oscar Larios, the former two-time super bantamweight champion, is a credible opponent.
Finkel shared this reporter’s view that Pacquiao is “moving faster and hitting harder” than ever before, adding “that right hand is hitting as hard as the left” which is Pacquiao’s recognized deadly weapon.
