Manny Pacquiao trains amidst typhoon, Bob Arum not completely sold on his progress
It’s going to take more than a typhoon to stop Manny Pacquiao from training in Baguio City.
As media packed into the Shape Up gym Monday afternoon, 18 October, there was a respectful silence as Manny did callisthenics and warm-ups for his public training session, despite Typhoon Juan (Megi) reaching landfall in other parts of the Philippines.
A lengthy mitt session with trainer Freddie Roach and subsequent media reception went as planned, regardless of the weather.
Reporters were quick to flock around Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who flew in over the weekend to catch up with his No.1 fighter and get a sense of his progress in light of his upcoming 13 November fight with Antonio Margarito.
Prior to seeing Manny, Arum was doubtful, given a number of reports indicating Pacquiao’s dense extracurricular activities had overshadowed training routines.
Arum confirmed reports that Pacquiao could look sharper, saying, "I didn’t see the kind of speed that he would need to beat (Antonio) Margarito [...], the old Pacquiao would have no problem beating Antonio Margarito. He still has time to bring the old Pacquiao
back when he is in L.A."
Pacquiao and Roach took to the ring after exercises with conditioning coach Alex Ariza. They worked on body shots and counters, with Roach reminding Pacquiao of the dangers of staying on the ropes against a fighter like Margarito.
Despite concerns, Arum did not seem overly worried, saying that he believes his fighter will be 100 percent by the time of the fight. For the last segment of training Roach and company will fly out to Los Angeles to work out at the Wild Card Gym.
Pacquiao hopes to use his speed and superior footwork to dazzle Margarito and stay out of harm’s way.
The mega-fight will be for the vacant WBC junior middleweight crown.
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