Manny Pacquiao ready to start sparring
Manny Pacquiao continues to push the intensity lever higher and higher.
The seven-division titlist has shifted training to high-gear as he prepares for his 13 November bout with Antonio Margarito.
The fight will be for the WBC junior middleweight title and will be held at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Pacquiao spent the first eight days of his program doing calisthenics, running, and hitting mitts with trainer Freddie Roach, who already has nothing but positive things to say about his fighter’s condition.
Now Pacquiao will focus on the meat and potatoes of training camp—mastering time with sparring partners.
For the past week Mexican junior middleweight Michael Medina and prospect Glen Tapia have been anxiously anticipating sparring sessions with Pacquiao to offer what they can in the way of hard knocks and
advice. The lessons start Thursday.
“It’s gonna be Thursday,” Roach told the Manila times. “I’m 100 per cent [sure] the start of the long sparring will be on Thursday so we can focus on game plan and strategy.”
Sparring sessions will be at the Coyesan Hotel gym, and contrary to other training components will be closed to the public.
Medina is an ideal sparring partner because he has sparred with several top contenders. He was Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s sparring partner for their fights against Shane Mosley
and John Duddy.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. himself is expected to arrive in a matter of days to contribute his helping to the sessions.
Glen Tapia (7-0, 5 KOs) was brought in for his aggression and youth, which will prepare Pacquiao for the sturdy unrelenting assaults of Margarito. “They needed a young guy, a prospect, who was just a
little bit faster,” Tapia confirmed. “I was told that the first name that came up to their mind was me. So they called me up and that was it, suddenly I’m here.”
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