Manny Pacquiao To Spar Before He Makes PBA Debut

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

MANNY Pacquiao will spar on Saturday before taking a flight to Manila for his Philippine Basketball Association debut as playing coach of Kia Sorento at the opening of the pro league’s 40th season at the Philippine Arena on Sunday which, by all accounts, will see a record crowd at the 55,000-seat coliseum.

Assistant trainer and childhood friend Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard/Viva Sports that Pacquiao sparred on Thursday with Stan “The Man” Martyniouk and tough welterweight Mike Jones, who some years ago was being considered as an opponent for Pacquiao.

“Sparring has gone well so far and there are no problems. Manny is looking good,” said Fernandez.

He was scheduled to take an uphill run on Friday morning as he slowly picks up the tempo of his training for his showdown with undefeated World Boxing Organization light welterweight champion Chris Algieri at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino on Nov. 23 (Manila time) in a catchweight bout at 144 pounds, with Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title on the line.

Sparring and Pacquiao’s overall training program is expected to pick up when unbeaten Ukraine fighter Viktor Apostol arrives next week.

Ranked No. 1 junior welterweight, Apostol is tough and is likely to give Pacquiao the kind of sparring he really needs to get into top shape for the Algieri fight.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz, who continues to work from his hospital bed as he recovers from two operations to remove blood clots in his right leg, told the Manila Standard that he would like to see Pacquiao go down to 140 after the Algieri fight, which he can easily do.

At 140, Pacquiao can fight unbeaten Danny Garcia, the reigning WBC and WBA super champion, who has beaten a string of quality fighters including Amir Khan whom he beat via a fourth-round TKO on July 14, 2012, veteran Zab Judah and rugged Lucas Mathysse.

Trainer Freddie Roach also wants the Garcia fight which should help Pacquiao unleash his punching power at the lower weight.