BAGUIO CITY, Philippines ? As Manny Pacquiao?s training went up a notch Tuesday, trainer Freddie Roach spoke the language of confidence despite the absence of an integral part of the team.
?We?re doing what we can,? said Roach after watching Pacquiao bang bodies for a total of six rounds with Russian sparmates Ruslan Provodnikov and Ruslan Nugaev in preparation for Pacquiao?s June 9 clash with Tim Bradley.
Pacquiao went four rounds with the burly Provodnikov, leaving the crowd gasping as he threw monstrous hooks to Pacquiao?s head and body.
Pacquiao responded in kind and jarred his sparmate with furious combinations to the head and body before going two rounds with Nugaev, who was taller and built more like a mover.
Roach said the local crew have been doing a marvelous job filling the void left by Alex Ariza, the esteemed conditioning coach who left in a huff after spending only three days with Pacquiao although Ariza might even reunite with them next week.
In-house fitness coach Marvin Somodio has taken charge of Pacquiao?s stretching and plyometric exercises while training assistant Nonoy Neri, who also cooks for the Filipino puncher, have joined hands in making sure their boss? buildup doesn?t miss a beat.
?We are all lending a hand,? said Neri.
Somodio, according to Roach, has a visa interview at the US Embassy in Manila on May 7.
Roach has kind words for Somodio, who has apparently gotten comfortable with Pacquiao.
?Marvin?s been doing very well and I would love to have him at the Wild Card,? said Roach.
