Manny Pacquiao (right) spars with trainer Freddie Roach. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao reunited with his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach once again.
Pacquiao said he’s glad to have his longtime trainer Roach back in training as he prepares for the biggest bout of his life.
“It’s good that we’re together again in training. Our relationship is special. I’m very excited to train for this fight and I’m glad that coach Freddie is back,” Pacquiao told Aquiles Z. Zonio of philboxing.com.
The WBO welterweight champion also bared that he will start sparring next and that Roach had already lined up two spar mates to help him in his training.
“My sparring sessions will start next week. Coach Freddie (Roach) had already hired two tough guys who can help me in my preparation,” Pacquiao said in the same interview.
Pacquiao also said he still has no idea who his sparring mates will be and even if he knew their names he will also keep it to himself.
“I don’t have their names,” Pacquiao said. “But even if I knew them, I will not reveal their identity.
“They might be offered money again,” he joked.
Pacquiao’s subtle jab came on the heels of a report that Mayweather’s camp had lured the Filipino champion’s potential spar mates with more lucrative deals to ditch Pacman’s camp.
READ: Roach: Mayweather adviser blocking our sparring partners
After another grueling training at Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club, Pacquiao recharged at his go-to Thai restaurant.
“His meal was composed of fried rice, beef tapa, deep fried chicken wings and mixed seafood-vegetable soup,” the article wrote.