Pacquiao ready to fight, will assault Griffith Park

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (in blue) jogs at the Griffith Park in Hollywood, California on Friday morning (US time) as part of his training for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. With an elevation gain of more than 300 meters, only a few elite members of Team Pacquiao, including Pacman the dog can keep up with him. Rem Zamora/INQUIRER

HOLLYWOOD—Being ready for a fight won’t suffice for Manny Pacquiao. He must be in optimum condition when the collision happens.

No wonder, Pacquiao always prefers to go the extra mile in training for his World Boxing Organization welterweight title showdown with Jessie Vargas on Nov. 5 in Las Vegas.

Though his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, and conditioning coach, Justin Fortune, believe that there’s no longer a need for him to do uphill runs, the Fighting Senator insists that he still needs to assault the Griffith Park peak here.

This, despite telling Filipino sportswriters upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) that he can already trade punches with Vargas at that moment.

“I’m always ready,” said Pacquiao, who obliged some requests for selfies and photo opportunities from fellow passengers and airport personnel before going down to the baggage carousel, where taking pictures are strictly prohibited.

“This may only be half-truth, otherwise, Pacquiao wouldn’t need to push himself as training is tapering down,” according to Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year.

Just the right training

Roach’s reservation is that this [uphill run] will be Pacquiao’s  first after the training camp in Manila, where he experienced cramping on his left left leg two weeks ago, and its proximity to fight night at Thomas & Mack Center.

Knowing Pacquiao’s passion for excellence, however, Roach gave in under the condition that his prized ward won’t overdo it.

“He looks forward to it (Griffith run),” said Roach, who was pleased with how their last training session, which was closed to the public, played out Saturday at Elorde Gym near Mall of Asia.

That time, Pacquiao sparred  for 10 rounds with unbeaten Olympian Jose Ramirez and Leonardo Doronio.

Six more rounds

With his shoulder aching from the pounding he got from Pacquiao in a 12-round mitts session Friday, Roach yielded the chore to assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, who absorbed the impact of Pacquiao’s power punches.

“He’s where we want him to be,” said Roach, noting that Fernandez’s shoulders and hands got hurt after the six-round mitts session.

Roach said there will be two more six rounds of sparring at his Wild Card Gym here, and probably four more on Saturday.

Traditionally, Pacquiao closes training camp Monday afternoon with a light workout, including a few rounds of sparring, before the team heads for Las Vegas.