WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, left, and WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri. AP FILE PHOTO/VINCENT YU
It was only their second day at the gym, but this early, trainer Buboy Fernandez exudes confidence Manny Pacquiao has got what it takes to beat challenger Chris Algieri in their showdown on Nov. 23 in Macau.
Handling the mitts with chief trainer Freddie Roach still to arrive, Fernandez said in a television interview Tuesday night that he already felt the power and intensity of the eight-division world champion’s Pacquiao’s punches.
Though the focus is still on conditioning and strategy, Fernandez told GMA 7 that he was hurting and a little bit shaken after the short workout at Pacquiao’s Wild Card Gym in General Santos City.
“It’s normal (body pains),” said Fernandez, who has ballooned to over 250 pounds. “May paglalagyan siya (Algieri will be put in his proper place).”
Algieri, the reigning World Boxing Organization light welterweight (140 pounds) champion, is moving up to try to wrest Pacquiao’s welterweight crown at a catchweight of 144 lb at Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao.
According to Fernandez, Pacquiao is in fine shape despite the long layoff and will be ready for the seven-week training camp when Roach hits town.
Fernandez said Pacquiao, who also spent time shadow boxing and hitting the speed balls and double-end bag, will start his roadwork today to build his stamina.
Pacquiao also commented on Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s sideswipe that the reason why he lost to Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth bout in 2012 was because Pacquiao’s focus wasn’t on his opponent, but on forging a megabuck fight with him.
Pacquiao said Mayweather, who beat Marcos Maidana anew last Saturday, will get his answer after his 12-round, pay-per-view showdown with the unbeaten Algieri.
In previous interviews, Pacquiao has repeatedly said that he will accede to Mayweather’s terms and demands just to make their long-awaited bout happen.
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