Pacquiao ill, skips training

MANILA—One day after Manny Pacquiao committed to get into better shape, the pound-for-pound king fell ill and was forced to skip training.   Pacquiao “took the day off because he is just not feeling too well and it looks like its his sinus infection,” conditioning coach Alex Ariza told the Inquirer from Baguio City, where the boxing icon set up camp for his fight against Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13.   Compounding the problem, Ariza said, is the Filipino ring icon “doesn’t take medicine and depends on everything natural.”   “If you train like a robot, it’s a worry because it’s hard to build up a body when it’s fighting one fight and then you are trying to fight (an illness),” Ariza added.   Pacquiao started his demanding strength and conditioning regimen Tuesday and had told Ariza he would allow him to do whatever he wants this week.   Pacquiao sparred a total of five rounds on Tuesday, three with undefeated Glen Tapia  and two with Michael Medina.   “His timing is almost there but he’s working on some things so I thought he did very well,” Ariza said   Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach conceded that after two weeks in Baguio City, Pacquiao is still not in his best shape. But Roach agreed with Ariza that Pacquiao’s timing in his sparring Tuesday was a little better.   Meanwhile, Ariza revealed that British lightweight champion Amir Khan will join Pacquiao in Baguio City before the weekend but will not take part in any sparring sessions. Instead, he will train with Pacquiao.   “We thought it may be a good idea if we have two-and-a-half weeks strength and conditioning, focusing on getting Amir in tip-top condition,” Ariza said. “He is not here to spar. He is here to get big and strong.”