Pacquiao ‘rusty’ in first sparring session–report

MANILA, Philippines – “Rusty” is what Top Rank promoter Bob Arum used to describe Manny Pacquiao as the eight division champion started his sparring sessions at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao flew out to LA this week for the continuation of his training for his fourth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, after opening his camp in General Santos City weeks ago.

Arum, though, observed that Pacquiao was still far from perfect form after the conclusion of his first sparring session Wednesday.

“He’s in great spirits, his condition is good, but he showed a great deal of rust in his first sparring session,” Arum said in an interview with Chris Robinson of Examiner.

“Not slow, just rusty,” Arum cleared.

But this was no cause to worry according to head trainer Freddie Roach, who guaranteed Arum that it was normal for Pacquiao to show rust at first.

“Freddie says that happens all the time with him, when he first starts sparring,” Arum shared in the same interview, saying he will watch Pacquiao spar again the next day.

The Philippines’ fighting pride Pacquiao and Marquez of Mexico face each other again on December 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in La Vegas, Nevada after three controversial fights.

Story link: https://www.examiner.com/article/bob-arum-says-manny-pacquiao-looked-rusty-during-sparring-at-the-wild-card