After a Long Layoff From Boxing Manny Looks Good

Pacquiao vs Margarito

The Manny Pacquiao battles the much taller and bigger Mexican Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the vacant WBC super welterweight title. Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao looked good in only his second day of training despite the six-month layoff following his March 13 WBO welterweight title defense against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey. Demonstrating the fire in the gym that sets him apart from most other fighters, the Sarangani representative said Tuesday he is “hungry to fight” anew. Pacquiao had a 90-minute workout at the Johnny Elorde Gym on Roosevelt Avenue, Quezon City, after running along the hills of San Mateo, Rizal, in the morning. Pacquiao said he is changing plans to leave for Baguio City on Sunday to begin training starting Monday, adding he would continue to train at the Elorde Gym, which is close to the Batasan Pambansa complex. On Monday, he jogged in the morning, attended two committee hearings in Congress, came to the gym and trained, and then went back to Congress to attend the sessions. Pacquiao said there is no conflict in pursing his career as a boxer and his responsibilities as a public servant because it all boils down to time management. Pacquiao said he might train in Metro Manila for another one or two weeks before moving training camp to Baguio City. Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach will fly in on Sunday, six days after conditioning expert Alex Ariza arrived to make sure he has everything that he needs when the training grind begins. Margarito stands five inches taller than Pacquiao and enjoys a six-inch reach advantage. During training, Pacquiao concentrated on rapid-fire flurries of punches, in-and-out movement and speed in lateral movements, indicating that Margarito won’t be able to catch him or contend with his speed and power. - Pacquiao vs Margarito