Peak-form Pacquiao wows team with another virtuoso workout

AP

HOLLYWOOD—Manny Pacquiao was all smiles as he approached Filipino sportswriters watching the tailend of his workout at Wild Card Gym here Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

“Okay lang? Mabagal (Was I slow)?” he asked with a wink.

Far from it.

He showed dazzling speed and punching power throughout the two-hour training session that chief trainer Freddie Roach was reduced to two words.

“Good job,” Roach said.

Make that great.

The few lucky souls who saw the entire virtuoso performance swore that it was the best of Pacquiao thus far in this training camp for his April 9 showdown against Timothy Bradley at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao was supposed to spar for just six rounds. He asked for seven. He then attacked the heavy bag with impunity, making it swing long with a killer blow to punctuate a punching flurry.

Satisfied with his power, Pacquiao shifted to high gear when he pounded the double-end bag and was a rhythmic blur with the speed ball.

Sparring partner Lydell Rhodes couldn’t contain himself and shouted: “Too much speed, too much power.”

“Leave something for the ring,” hollered a longtime supporter.

Assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, getting the signal from Roach, had to restrain Pacquiao from prolonging his punching binge as training was already tapering down.

Pacquiao also wanted to skip rope, but Fernandez stopped him.

“He can fight tomorrow if he wants to,” said Fernandez in Filipino. “He’s ready to go.”

Though Pacquiao felt the same way, the eight-division world champion wants to be in the best form possible for his farewell fight. That’s why he’s molding his body into an impenetrable armor.

After doing abdominal exercises, Pacquiao touched his stomach and uttered: “We know it’s good to attack the body. Just like Miguel Cotto he tried to attack me, but my body is solid.”