Pacquiao’s timing off, but power, speed there

AFP

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—The long layoff hasn’t diminished Manny Pacquiao’s speed and power a bit. His timing, of course, isn’t there yet.

Overall, however, chief trainer Freddie Roach was happy with how Pacquiao’s first sparring session with Canada-based Congolese Ghislain Muduna went at his Wild Card Gym here Tuesday.

Pacquiao, despite being bothered by hurting eyes brought about by excess pomade on his face, was his busy self while Muduna tried hard to imitate Timothy Bradley’s movements and fighting style.

Though Roach felt Muduna was “a little slower than Bradley.”

So we [will] have to make adjustments,” said the seven-time trainer of the year. “But he did well.”

As for Pacquiao, Roach said he improved since they first trained together on Feb. 15.

“He’s very strong physically,” said Roach. “As expected, his timing is a little off.”

It was Pacquiao’s first time to box since he lost via unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather on May 2, 2015.

“He can do anything,” said Muduna. “Sometimes he’ll do counter-punching, sometimes he’ll be attacking. You’ll never know what he’s gonna do. Sometimes he’ll go in, sometimes he’ll weave out.”