By LITO DELOS REYES
MANILA – Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and his team are scheduled to fly to the United States on October 22 to continue his training for his comeback fight against Mexican-American World Boxing Organization welterweight titlist Jessie Vagas on November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center inside the University of Las Vegas-Nevada.
“Mabilis ng improvement ni Manny sa training. Mga 75 percent na siguro nasa condition si Manny. Pero, magdagdag pa kami ng sparring partners sa kanya,” said assistant trainer Raides “Nonoy” Neri last Monday at Elorde Boxing Gym of the SM Mall of Asia.
Aside from local lightweight contender Leopoldo Doronio, Team Pacquiao is also getting the services of WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council welterweight champion Sonny Katiandagho (10-1-0-6Kos) of General Santos City.
“Mas mataas si Sonny at 5 foot 8,” said assistant coach Jonathan Penalosa.
Vargas stands at 5-foot-10 while Pacquiao is only 5’6.
Meanwhile, chief trainer Freddie Roach is also arriving together with unbeaten junior-welterweight Jose Ramirez (17-0-0-12Kos) to be a sparring partner of Pacquiao.
Strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune has already arrived earlier last Monday.
He has reportedly increased the load of the morning roadwork aspect as to include sprinting to improve leg power and speed.
Fortune also said at that Pacquiao is “now stronger and faster.”
Pacquiao regularly trains at the Elorde Boxing Gym in SM Moa from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. after his office work at the Senate.
The 37-year old Pacquiao (58-6-2-38KOs) is the first professional boxer elected as Senator of the Philippines. He announced his retirement after winning via a unanimous decision against American Timothy Bradley to win the vacant WBO International welterweight title last April 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
TEAM PACQUIAO. International boxing promoter Brico Santig (3rd from right) with 8-time world division champion Manny Pacquiao’s assistant trainer Raides “Nonoy” Neri (3rd from left) at the Elorde Boxing Gym at the SM MOA before the start of Pacquiao’s night training. Also in photo are (from right) former two-time world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa, assistant trainer Jonathan Penalosa, Ace Mendoza and Rene Pacquiao of MP Highland Gym in Manila.
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