Pacquiao now training in Baguio, sparring sessions closed to public

BAGUIO CITY – Boxing’s pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao, is now training here in the city of Pines for his Nov. 13 fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light-middleweight title.

The fighting congressman from Sarangani province arrived here Oct. 3 with his trainer Freddie Roach, conditioning coach Alex Ariza, and adviser Micheal Koncz.

Joining them were sparring mates Michael Medina and Glen Tapia.

Pacquiao immediately started his training Monday with a jog at the Burnham Park where he also jogged during his training last year.

Pacman skipped jogging Tuesday morning after a basketball exhibition game and 12 round boxing workout at the Cooyeesan Shape-Up boxing gym.

According to Roach, they will buckle down to work now as the high altitude training shifts to a high gear in Pacman’s preparation for his upcoming eight championship in eighth weight classes.

The Cooyeesan gym is again the training ground of Team Pacquiao for the next three weeks.

Pacquiao held camp at the same site during his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title fight with Miguel Cotto last year.

Roach said that the training at the gym which was initially packed with hangers-on, will be strictly closed door to let the champ concentrate as he prepares for his upcoming battle.

Although still around 60 percent from his fighting form, Roach said the world’s top fighter remains in good condition even if his ward has not fought since scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey last March.

The official sparring session opened Thursday. The other half of his sparring partners Armaneian Vanes Martrosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr of Mexico were set to arrive Wednesday afternoon in time for the sparring sessions. -- Redjie Cawis