Pacquiao steps up training for Broner tiff

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao trains at a boxing gym in Manila on November 27, 2018, ahead of his WBA Welterweight bout title with US boxer Adrien Broner in Las Vegas, on January 19, 2019. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

After shuttling from the Senate offices to nearby Elorde Boxing Gym at Mall of Asia complex, Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday changed from shirt and tie to his workout attire in no time.

“Ok na! Approved na. Extension sa martial law (It’s approved, martial law in Mindanao is extended) one year,” Pacquiao casually told the full-packed crowd inside the gym.

The throng clapped as he limbered up, shadow boxed and worked the mitts and marvelled at how seamlessly the legendary Filipino boxer shifted from his legislative duties to preparing for his fight against Adrien Broner in January.

“Great round, take it easy,” Australian conditioning coach Justin Fortune told Pacquiao in between mitts sessions with Buboy Fernandez.

“No,” said Pacquiao as he went back to his corner. “We should work hard.”

Clearly, Pacquiao is all out as he rehearsed punching combinations that his camp warned spectators not to record.

“It’s all great; the speed is there, the strength is there. We’re on track,” said rangy Australian lightweight boxer George Kambosos Jr. For the Manila leg of the training, the 25-year-old was Pacquiao’s main sparring partner.

Kambosos, who is fighting in the undercard of the Jan. 19 fight in Las Vegas, said he’s playing a specific role in sparring against Pacquiao.

“It’s more like playing Broner’s game which is more of a counterpuncher,” added Kambosos.

Pacquiao wrapped up his training in Manila and is set to fly to his hometown in General Santos City on Thursday to celebrate his 40th birthday on Dec. 17.

The team then leaves for Los Angeles on Dec. 22.

Pacquiao has logged just 14 rounds of sparring so far in what is considered to be one of his shortest training camps.

Fortune, however, said everything is in place. Pacquiao, he said, works out in the morning every day and plays basketball to keep in shape as well.