BRINGING his training to the next level, Manny Pacquiao sparred for six rounds with Ghislain Maduma Tuesday even as another sparring partner arrived in General Santos to provide more quality workout for the eight-division world champion.
Lydell Rhodes, who was part of Pacquiao’s training team for his rematch with Timothy Bradley in 2014, returned to help prepare the Sarangani representative for their third showdown on April 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
According to assistant trainer Haplas Fernandez, the focus of yesterday’s sparring at Pacman Wild Card Gym was to stimulate Pacquiao’s footwork and head movement.
“The sparring went well,” Haplas told the Inquirer in Filipino. “Maduma was asked by (chief trainer) Freddie Roach to defend and counter like Bradley does.”
On Monday, Pacquiao also started his high-altitude training, running a 10-km route.
The 28-year-old Rhodes (23-1-1, 11 KOs) will spar with Pacquiao on Thursday.