By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring idol is focused on one thing and one thing only – and that his preparation for his “Dream Match” against the formidable Oscar De La Hoya in a 147 pound smoker at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 6.
Reported squabbles between Pacquiao’s celebrated trainer Freddie Roach and longtime friend Greg Asuncio,n who carries the nickname “Sheriff” since he works in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department, have failed to distract Pacquiao.
His adviser Michael Koncz, in an overseas telephone conversation with insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports said “Manny is training very hard. He is very intense in his training” and isn’t thinking of anything else other than being in peak form for the fight with De La Hoya.
Koncz said that 5’10 Rashad Holloway was “doing a very good job” as Pacquiao’s prime sparring partner at present even as undefeated Yuri Foreman who won a tough fight last weekend was “not coming in.”
Koncz s aid Foreman had “some difficulty with his fight and some other issues so they backed out.” However, he was quick to add that Roach had assured them there was “no need to worry” because he had lined up “some capable sparring partners who are coming in next week.’
Although Britian’s Amir Khan is training under Roach at the Wild Card Gym, Koncz believes there was no real advantage sparring with him because he is “shorter than De La Hoya and doesn’t have long arms” although Koncz said “he has power and quick hands. But that’s Freddie’s call. He is the trainer.”
One of Roach’s assistants Rob Peters told us earier that Pacquiao “did real well in sparring against a big guy and he (Holloway) is really, really good work for Manny and Freddie (Roach) is very happy with the work he’s been giving him.”
Roach himself told us the other day that Holloway who approximates the fighting style of De La Hoya is the best sparring partner he’s had so far and is perfect for what needs to be done.
Alex Ariza,the renowned conditioning coach Pacquiao is elated at the progress made Pacquiao’s preparation sofar. He said he couldn’t ask for anything more saying that the Filipino ring icon was “ responding very well to the new conditioning and is moving around phenomenally.”
He said they had “ taken the assets that Manny has right now – his speed, his strength and power and moving them up a little bit. We are making him a little bit faster, a little bit stronger and a little more explosive.”
