MANNY Pacquiao (right) and trainer Freddie Roach discuss strategy secretly while doing the mitts during yesterday’s training session at The Venetian’s makeshift ring. ROY LUARCA
MACAU—Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach yesterday provided a preview of possible scenarios for his battle with Brandon Rios on Sunday.
And for the media, especially the Filipinos, the training session has all the trimmings of a thriller and a blockbuster.
Reinvigorated by nearly a year’s layoff, Pacquiao was nimble on his feet, gliding throughout the ring as Roach tried to mimic Rios.
As he was moving, Pacquiao unleashed jabs and combinations that would ultimately lead to a power punch.
With the bout still a few days away, Pacquiao and Roach kept some moves and some parts of the fight plan secret.
At one point, when Pacquiao caught Roach in the corner, they suddenly stopped, looked at each other and talked inaudibly.
Pacquiao looked satisfied, smiling most of the time, alternately talking with Filipino trainers Buboy Fernandez and Marvin Somodio and adviser Michael Koncz while doing the mitts with Roach.
Top Rank chief honcho Bob Arum were among the spectators and swore that Pacquiao is in the best possible shape. Even better than when he was disfiguring the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto.
A handful of Filipinos, working as security personnel in the sprawling resort and casino complex, said they’ve seen Rios in training for the past six days and he’s not up to par with Pacquiao.
They observed that while Rios indeed appeared to be strong, he was a lot slower than Pacquiao.
NOTES: Among the celebrities reportedly coming for Pacquiao-Rios is football star David Beckham. Top Rank fighters Miguel Cotto, Mikey Garcia and Ruslan Provodnikov are also planing in. Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez, last year’s American Idol runner-up, will sing the national anthem, ABS-CBN reported.