BAGUIO CITY—Manny Pacquiao left the summer capital on Friday, ending his Baguio training schedule to pursue further training in Los Angeles before his November 12 fight against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao admitted that he has not yet reached the level he requires to beat Marquez, but the boxing champ left behind a souvenir that illustrates what he is capable of doing inside the ring.
During his October 4 sparring session with Venezuelan Jorge Linares, Pacquiao hit his sparring partner in the face during the early rounds. The Venezuelan sustained a cut in the left eye.
Linares will be battling for the vacant WBC lightweight title against Antonio de Marco next week in Staples Center in Los Angeles.
In their last sparring session on Thursday, Pacquiao gave Linares free rein, and allowed the Venezuelan to hit him while the eight-division world champion practiced his footwork and counter jabs.
Pacquiao later spent 10 rounds mitt-training with coach Freddie Roach as they toiled to perfect their strategy against Marquez.
“I am excited with my match (against Marquez). I am nearing my level of strength and speed,” said Pacquiao.
Team Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California, where Pacquiao will be training for a month before his fight with Marquez at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Right after the match, Pacquiao said that he would be returning to Baguio to lead a marathon and raise funds for victims of Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel,” which struck northern Luzon last week.