Reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao finally got to spar for the first time in training camp as he prepares for his May 7 title fight against Sugar Shane Mosley.
And everyone in the Filipino boxing superstar's circle definitely liked what they saw.
"Sobrang bilis at maganda 'yung timing," said long-time Filipino assistant trainer Nonoy Neri shortly after Pacquiao ended his two-hour workout on Tuesday afternoon at the Shape Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel in Baguio.
The 32-year-old fighting congressman from Sarangani province sparred for four rounds with regular partner Shawn Porter.
"It's the best first day of sparring I've ever seen," observed strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza. "His timing wasn't that off."
Aside from Porter, also on hand to spar with the eight-division world champion is David Rodela.
Both Rodela and Porter arrived in the country last week along with Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum in time for Pacquiao's open media workout.
Sparring is usually held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with the number of rounds increasing by the day.
If plans push through, Pacquiao will be leaving for the U.S. this weekend (April 2) and will resume his training at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles as per Arum's directive.
The veteran promoter wants to maximize the partnership he forged with broadcast giant CBS by having Pacquiao visible in America and promote the fight for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.
"If we leave on the 2nd (April), it will be three weeks here and five weeks in L.A.," said trainer Freddie Roach, who also has two other sparmates on standby for Pacquiao at the Wild Card gym.
Arum said he wants the most popular boxer in his stable to be in L.A. by April 2 since "I can really use him."
"We really have an opportunity that we never had before because the element of the promotion that is the key is CBS," said the 79-year-old Arum, who stayed three days in Baguio to monitor Pacquiao's high-altitude training.
"CBS is doing so much on the promotion, but you've got to give them materials. So I got to get Manny in L.A."
At the most, Pacquiao will be sparring for only 16 days in training camp for a maximum of at least 125 rounds.
World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title holder Amir Khan also works out with Pacquiao in Baguio as he prepares to defend his 140-pound title against Paul McCloskey.
But unlike before when Khan sparred with Pacquiao, when the pride of General Santos City was training for his fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito last year, Roach did not include the British boxer of Pakistani descent in his prized fighter's list of possible sparmates.
"No, there won’t be any sparring with Amir. He's going home when Manny starts sparring, so the schedule doesn't work out," said Roach.
Khan fights McCloskey on April 16 in Manchester, England. - JVP, KY, GMA News
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