‘Perfect’ Pacquiao packs up LA training camp with busy workout
Manny Pacquiao during a ladder mobility drill in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California, April 4, 2016. Pacquiao is in perfect condition for his fight against Timothy Bradley Jr. according to his strength and conditioning coach Justine Fortune. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA
HOLLYWOOD—Already in “perfect” shape, Manny Pacquiao still put in some work for good measure before heading off to Las Vegas Monday.
Pacquiao had an early morning run at scenic Griffith Observatory, here where he usually tackles the lung-busting hills, but this time taking the flat but longer route now that his training is on taper-off mode.
“We always do this [run at Griffith] before he leaves,” assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez told INQUIRER.net. “This [route] was just mild, not like the other side. But it’s longer. It’s okay because it’s his last run here.”
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Still managing to attract a crowd—with some passersby unaware who was causing the gathering of people at the famed observatory’s park on a cold morning—Pacquiao performed ladder mobility drills and abdominal strengthening exercises under the supervision of Fernandez and strength coach Justin Fortune.
Fortune, who was seen jogging with his dogs as Pacquiao hit the trails, is impressed with his ward’s conditioning with less than a week to go before his third bout against Timothy Bradley Jr.
“Manny [has] done this so many times before. He’s perfect. He knows how to get in shape. He’s extremely fit, very fast and strong,” Fortune also told INQUIRER.net.
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Pacquiao went home to rest after the run and returned to Wild Card gym in the afternoon for another set of workouts, including sparring four rounds with Ghislain Maduma. He worked both the heavy and double end bags before capping his training day with shadow boxing and ab crunches.
Several times Pacquiao went over the time limit while doing the drills, clearly enjoying what had been meant to be a quick sendoff workout for the Filipino boxing champion.
Pacquiao is set to do another light run at the University of Nevada Las Vegas track oval, according to Fernandez, who is pumped up to see his long-time pal get into action anew.
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“If only it’s possible, we can hold the fight tomorrow so we’d know who’s the real winner,” said Fernandez.
After Tuesday, Pacquiao is expected to get some rest with several fight week events like the final press conference up ahead.
“I don’t want him to do anything on Wednesday, Thursday to store energy. Come Saturday, he’ll be jumping out of his skin,” said Fortune.
