Pacquiao starts workout in Sucat gym

FILIPINO BOXING SENSATION MANNY Pacquiao did his first gym workout yesterday at the Wild Card Gym in Sucat, Parañaque.

Pacquiao did three rounds of mitts and a few more rounds of speed ball, skipping rope and shadow boxing in a span of a little more than an hour.

Pacquiao is scheduled to commence his nearly two months of training in Baguio City this Monday in preparation for his world welterweight title fight against defending champion Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I have to prepare really hard because Cotto is capable of giving me a sound beating,” said Pacquiao in Filipino, moments after finishing his training session. “I have to make sure he won’t be able to do that to me.”

Yesterday’s gym training was Pacquiao’s first since annihilating British superstar Ricky Hatton inside two rounds last May.

“I’ve been doing some road work since last week so it made me feel good doing my stuff today here in the gym,” said Pacquiao, who arrived the other day after a five-stop promotional tour in the US and Puerto Rico.

The 30-year-old Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 knockouts) said he plans to proceed to Baguio anytime this weekend. Trainer Buboy Fernandez has already supervised all the preparations for their training camp.

American trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza are scheduled to arrive in the country from the United States on Tuesday.

“This could be my toughest fight and that’s one reason why I’m motivated for this bout. We really have to be focused and be sure with our fight plan,” said Pacquiao.

The 28-year-old Cotto (34-1, 27 KO’s), who will stake his World Boxing Organization (WBO) crown at an agreed catchweight of 145 lbs., has started his training in his hometown of Caguas in Puerto Rico for nearly a month now.

Pacquiao is looking for a piece of history against Cotto as he will be gunning for a world title in an unprecedented seventh weight division.

Source: sports.inquirer.net