By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza can’t seem to run out of superlatives to describe how pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is doing in preparation for his “Fire Power” showdown against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14.

Pacquiao sparred twelve furious rounds at Roach’s Wild Card Gym on Thursday going five rounds with undefeated 22 year old light middleweight Shawn Porter (10-0. 8 KO’s), four rounds with former sparring partner Rashad Holloway, a welterweight with an 11-1-1, 5 KO record and three rounds with another former sparring partner, super featherweight Raymund Beltran (22-4, 14 KO’s).

Ariza said that when the tenth round came “Freddie just smiled at me and said ‘look its ten rounds and Manny is not even breathing hard” despite the rigorous workout.

The conditioning expert said “Ronnie, Manny was phenomenal today. We, Freddie and I are both excited about this. He makes us a feel good because that’s the Manny that we know and love to watch.”

Asked what was so spectacular about Pacquiao’s sparring, Ariza replied “he was just on point again. His timing is there. He knows when the punches are  coming. He’s slipping, he’s moving and hitting the guy when he wants to hit him. He looked really good.”

Ariza disclosed it wasn’t a closed door sparring session and “there was a bit of a crowd there,” including an HBO TV crew that was reportedly impressed with what they saw. He said Pacquiao was “smiling and felt good about his sparring. Freddie felt good and we are all happy.”

The conditioning  expert who told us yesterday that Roach had given Pacquiao a day-off after a strenuous run and workout in the morning contrary to claims that Pacquiao slept through training, said Roach told him it was amazing what a day of rest would do for Pacquiao.

Ariza said “Freddie and I are both on board because Manny works so hard, he pushes himself so hard that we have always wanted him to take a day off. Manny got on board with me and he realizes himself that it was a welcome break.”

He said Roach noted that the whole day’s rest made him look “completely different in his face, the way he boxed today. He looks so strong and energetic like a whole different person .”

While Pacquiao will still do some sparring before leaving for Las Vegas on November 9, Ariza said “its all downhill from here” as he tapers off.