HOLLYWOOD—Staying in a corner of Wild Card Gym and intently watching Manny Pacquiao spar and train Thursday afternoon, Luisito Espinosa couldn’t help but be amazed.
“His speed is really something else,” said Espinosa, the US-based Filipino two-time world champion who took time out from his job two weeks ago to join Pacquiao’s entourage. “He seems to be even faster than the first time I saw him.”
The 44-year-old Espinosa, the former World Boxing Association bantamweight champion and World Boxing Council featherweight titlist, was also at ringside when Pacquiao exacted revenge over Mexican Erik Morales in 2006.
“It’s a good thing we came in at at different times, otherwise he would have beaten me as well,” said Espinosa, who retired in 2005 after compiling a win-loss-draw record of 47-26-13 with 26 knockouts.
“He’s also too strong, he’s twice as good,” noted Espinosa. “A different animal.”