By Keith Idec

Undefeated Glen Tapia (7-0, 5 KOs), a fast-rising junior middleweight prospect from Passaic, New Jersey, has been hired as Pacquiao’s primary sparring partner for the Filipino superstar’s Nov. 13 fight against Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium. Tapia will leave today for Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif., where they’ll train for several days until leaving late next week for Pacquiao’s training camp in the Philippines.

"I’m going to learn how one of the greatest world champions trains, how he fights, everything," Tapia, 20, said to BoxingScene.com. "It’s a great opportunity for me."

North Arlington’s Carl Moretti helped establish the Pacquiao-Tapia partnership while discussing potential sparring partners with Roach, Pacquiao’s respected trainer, during a three-city U.S. media tour to promote the HBO Pay-Per-View fight last week.

"Freddie was looking to give Manny a different look in this training camp," said Moretti, vice president of boxing operations for Top Rank Inc., which promotes Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) and Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs, 1 NC). "He was looking for a young, aggressive kid to give Manny something to think about, so that it’s not the same old thing. Glen was the first kid that came to my mind. He’s built a little like Margarito. He’s right-handed, he throws a lot of punches and he’ll give it his all."