WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, right, of the Philippines, fights during his world welterweight title boxing match against WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri of the U.S. at the Venetian Macao in Macau, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. AP
HOLLYWOOD — Gerry Peñalosa must have seen something distinct in Manny Pacquiao’s closed door sparring Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to convince him that Timothy Bradley won’t last the distance this time.
After all, the former World Boxing Organization welterweight champion, hasn’t been stopped in his ring career.
For another, the last time Pacquiao won by stoppage was seven years ago, and it took all of 12 rounds for him to dispose of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.
Peñalosa, among the lucky few who was granted access to the closed door sparring, saw how Pacquiao dominated sparring partners Ghislain Maduma and Lydell Rhodes, respectively, for seven rounds.
According to Peñalosa, the former World Boxing Council super flyweight and WBO bantamweight champion, Pacquiao virtually toyed with Maduma for four rounds and staggered Rhodes near the end of the third round with a left hook.
“It was a beautiful and powerful performance,” Peñalosa said in Filipino. “Manny was unleashing hooks often while his left straights are finding their mark.”
“Ensayado talaga,” said Penalosa. “There’s no problem as far as stamina is concerned.”
Peñalosa’s only concern is he noticed that Pacquiao eased up on Rhodes, allowing the American to survive the round.
“Manny has a tendency to go easy on sparring partners, especially those who’ve been with him for a long time and have become his friends.”
Peñalosa said he’s different.
“You’re paying them, you should maul them.”
Still, Peñalosa, who hanged up his gloves with a 55-win, 8-loss, 2-draw record, is betting on Pacquiao to hand Bradley a short beating in their 12-round pay-per-view tussle on April 9 (April 10 in Manila).
“He (Bradley) won’t last,” said Penalosa.
A regular on Pacquiao’s fights, Penalosa flew in from Manila Sunday. He’ll return to the Philippines Tuesday, but will be back Friday before Pacquiao leaves for Las Vegas on Monday.