Pacquiao knocks down spar partner

MANNY Pacquiao’s rhythm and timing is back if his recent sparring sessions were to be the gauge.

According to a Team Pacquiao insider, the eight-division world champion knocked down spar mate Stan Martyniouk last Thursday, indicating his readiness to defend the WBO welterweight crown against Chris Algieri on Nov. 23 in Macau.

Pacquiao knocked down Martyniouk with a left straight in the second round of their three-rounder, the eyewitness told the Inquirer.

Pacquiao also sparred for five rounds with unbeaten Russian Viktor Postol and four rounds with London Olympian and top prospect Jose Ramirez for a total of 12 rounds. The fourth sparring partner, Mike Jones, took a bye.

Last Tuesday, Pacquiao sparred for 11 rounds and also impressed chief trainer Freddie Roach.

“He’s ready (for the Algieri fight),” the insider told the Inquirer. “He did not even get tired after sparring.”

Team Pacquiao is slated to fly to Macau via an Asian airliner on Monday, after winding up the GenSan training camp in the afternoon.