‘New Pacquiao’ awes sparmate

HOLLYWOOD—The first time he sparred with Manny Pacquiao way back in 2004, lightweight Ray Beltran Jr. swore he felt the Filipino superstar’s punches “like lightning bolts shooting down my body.”

Now, after Pacquiao had jumped up several weight classes, Beltran said the pound-for-pound king bangs even harder.

While Pacquiao’s fighting style was nearly predictable then, Beltran said the feared Filipino fighter is a more complete boxer now.

He said Pacquiao is now “technically better in the ring and very unpredictable.”

The 30-year-old Beltran, who totes a 23-4 record with 15 knockouts, should know.

He has done more rounds with the Fighter of the Decade than anyone else.

After helping prepare Pacquiao for his second fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, Beltran also served as Pacquiao’s sparmate for his fights against Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito before being recalled for Shane Mosley.

Beltran said that while Pacquiao used to simply overwhelm an opponent with his speed and aggression, now “he’s much more.”

He said Pacquiao’s punches appear in a blur, from virtually all angles, with radar-like accuracy and more power. And, “they hurt.”

Beltran, who perseveres to give Pacquiao the training he’ll need to beat Mosley on May 7, believes that the Sarangani congressman will win. He declined to predict a knockout, though.

He said that Mosley, with his ring savvy, might be able to survive an onslaught.

Meanwhile, chief trainer Freddie Roach has ordered a complete rest for his prized ward on Sunday.

The eight-division world champion will only be allowed to hear Mass at the Christ the King Parish.

“I told him to get a full day off tomorrow,” said Roach. “Just get one good rest day before the fight.”

“Of course, you’ll never know with Manny,” added the trainer, noting that in the past, Pacquiao often ignored his order and still did his early-morning run.

After Saturday’s workout—six rounds of sparring, four rounds of shadow boxing and two rounds each of mitts, double end and heavy bags and speedball—Roach said he’s convinced Pacquiao is now in peak form and deserves some rest.

Pacquiao, who quickly changed into a gray suit with tie after the two-hour workout at the Wild Card Gym here, earlier told Manila-based sportswriters that he’s training overtime to make sure of a victory over former three-division champion Mosley. He proceeded to Melrose store in Los Angeles for the launch of his “MP8 Scent of The Champion” cologne.