Chavez to join Manny’s camp in two weeks

Unbeaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will join the training camp of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in two weeks’ time, according to Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz. In an interview with the Inquirer after joining Pacquiao on a flight to his hometown of General Santos City on Thursday, Koncz said three sparmates are scheduled to arrive with trainer Freddie Roach on Sunday morning.

The sparring partners are 29-year-old Rashad Holloway (11-1-2, 5 KOs), a welterweight prospect and a regular during Pacquiao’s training camps; unbeaten 24-year-old junior middleweight Vanes Martirosyan (28-0, 17 KOs), who stands 6 feet tall; and 20-year-old prospect Glen Tapia (7-0, 5 KOs) of New Jersey.  Koncz said the 6-1 Chavez made himself available after his Dec. 4 fight against WBO light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto was called off. A different opponent for the 24-year-old Chavez (41-0-1, with 1 no contest) had been lined up by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum on the same date. Koncz said he had spoken to Arum by phone and was told “Chavez will follow in two weeks. He will fight in December but it is not going to be against Cotto.” Koncz said he had asked Arum to provide him with Chavez’s flight information and that he would meet him at the airport  “so he sees a familiar face.” Koncz said Pacquiao is scheduled to return to Manila on Sunday, in time for Roach’s arrival. Team Pacquiao would set up training camp in Baguio City as originally planned. “It is not working out here in Manila,” Koncz said. Pacquiao’s congressional chief of staff lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal told Koncz that Pacquiao could skip some sessions in order to train for his Nov. 13 battle for the vacant WBC super welterweight title against Mexican Antonio Margarito. Even House Speaker Sonny Belmonte had indicated it would be all right if Pacquiao misses some sessions.