MANNY PACQUIAO picked up the pace of his training regimen in Baguio Friday by jogging uphill for about 45 minutes, forcing running mate and WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan to take a ride and join him only on flat grounds.
Michael Konz, Pacquiao’s adviser, said Khan’s condition was understandable because it was only his first day of training, but conditioning coach Alex Ariza said “having Khan next to Manny (while training) gives the world pound-for-pound king extra motivation.”
Pacquiao is in the midst of a hectic preparation for his WBC super welterweight title fight against Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 in Arlington, Texas, while the British champ is just beginning to train for his Dec. 11 clash against Marcos Maidana of Argentina.
Koncz said that Pacquiao, who had rested for a couple of days due to a slight cold, had six rounds of sparring on Thursday.
Pacquiao, according to Koncz, showed the form trainer Freddie Roach wanted to see when he ripped the punch mitts for 14 rounds and then went through the other regular aspects of his training regimen.
“It was a great workout,” said Koncz.
Pacquiao is scheduled to drive down to Manila today to attend the 10.10.10 Pasig River run organized by Gina Lopez tomorrow.
He is scheduled to return to Baguio later Sunday and resume training Monday.
Ariza said Roach didn’t know anything about the trip to Manila, adding that Pacquiao should be resting on his off-day from training.
Meanwhile, Koncz said Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. may no longer come to Manila since he was having problems with his Mexican promoter.
He noted that Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Oct. 23 anyway to continue training at the Wild Card Gym and “it’s a waste of expense to bring more sparring partners.”
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