PACQUIAO works on the speedball. PHOTO from Manny Pacquiao’s Instagram account
MANILA, Philippines—Another well-rounded fighter, Dierry Jean, has been added to the rotation of Manny Pacquiao’s sparring partners for his Super Fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The 32-year-old Jean, a Haiti-born Canadian now residing in Montreal, tested his mettle against Pacquiao for three rounds Thursday (Friday in Manila) at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, according to Philboxing.com.
Jean, boasting a 28-win, 1-loss record with 20 knockouts, took the place of Finn Edis Totli.
Aside from the 5-foot-7 Jean, a former light welterweight contender now ranked third by the World Boxing Council in the light welterweight division, Pacquiao also sparred three rounds with Kenneth Sims Jr., who’s likely to be retained for the duration of training camp.
Chief trainer Freddie Roach has lined up six training partners for Pacquiao, but will use only two in each sparring session scheduled Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Team Mayweather, on the other hand, had reportedly enlisted the services of 10 spar mates, including former world champion Zab Judah and DeMarcus Corley.
Jean, highly recommended by Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz, has been tasked to simulate Mayweather’s defensive stance.
Meanwhile, prices of rooms at MGM Grand soared for the Super Fight weekend, starting at $1,600 a night, according to reviewjournal.com. The same rooms can be booked at $338 two weeks later. Roy Luarca
For more updates on Pacquiao-Mayweather “Fight of the Century,” visit The Pacquiao Files.