I need more speed, strong legs, says Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao (right) spars with trainer Freddie Roach. AP FILE PHOTO

Manny Pacquiao’s stamina is back. Focus now shifts on strengthening his legs.

Chief trainer Freddie Roach and strength and conditioning coach Justine Fortune have decided to stop Pacquiao’s uphill Griffith Park morning jogs, replacing these with runs and exercises at University of California track oval.

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Pacquiao tried the 400-meter oval last Monday (Tuesday in Manila) and found the conditions to his liking.

“He doesn’t need it (mountain-climbing) anymore,” Roach told Philboxing.com Tuesday after overseeing Pacquiao’s sparring session with Kenneth Sims and Gibson Keandri (four rounds each) at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

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Pacquiao’s stamina, according to Fortune, is already where it needs to be so attention will now be on enhancing his speed.

Video clips by local TV stations covering Pacquiao’s preparations for his May 2 megabuck bout with Floyd Mayweather at MGM Grand in Las Vegas even showed the eight-division world champion running up the bleachers sideways.

“I need more speed, strong legs” Pacquiao said on TV.

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Fortune told Philboxing.com that “UCLA has the equipment, facilities, gadgets and other components not available elsewhere. UCLA definitely compensates what Griffith cannot.”

For Roach, however, the more compelling reason is the privacy UCLA offers to Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s early morning run at Pan Pacific Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, however, will be retained for variety. Runs shift to UCLA Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday.

For more updates on Pacquiao-Mayweather “Fight of the Century,” visit The Pacquiao Files.