by Ronnie Nathanielsz
"Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao has begun light training for his WBO welterweight title defense against undefeated light welterweight champion Chris Algieri and is reportedly "excited" to get back into the g ym.
Longtime friend and Filipino trainer "Buboy" Fernandez told the Manila S tandard/Viva Sports from the Pacman Gym in General Santos City that the eight division world champion did five rounds on the punch-mitts, worked one round on the speed ball, skipped rope and did some shadow boxing on his second day of training for his November 22 showdown with Algieri.
Fernandez said not only was Pacquiao excited but he also looked contended and happy.
Pacquiao's training regimen is expected to pick-up when celebrated trainer Freddie Roach arrives on October 6.
In the meantime, Fernandez said he watched Algieri's fight against Pacquiao;s former sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov from whom he wom the title despiute being dropped in the opening round and having his right eye closed shut from the eighth
round onwards.
The trainer said Pacquiao "can't underestimate Algieri" whom he described as "a good fighter" and someone who moves well besides enjoying a height and reach advantage.
Talking about a possible megabuck fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr, Fernandez said from what he saw in the unanimous twelve round decision win over Marcus Maidana, Pacquiao would surely beat the undefeated American who is No. 1 in the pound for pound rankings.
Fernandez said he hopes the fight will happen "so we can find out who is the better fighter."
