bulakenyo
09-27-2007, 08:17 AM
Pacquiao bares serious defensive lapses
Sparmate sneaks in rights to Pacman’s head
By Recah Trinidad
Inquirer
Last updated 05:04am (Mla time) 09/27/2007
LOS ANGELES -- Manny Pacquiao’s mission to again crush Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera may not come trouble-free based on the result of a sparring session that saw the Filipino boxing superstar getting repeatedly tagged with right shots to the head Wednesday.
The 28-year-old Pacquiao, an overwhelming pick to repeat over Barrera whom he had stopped four years ago, was predictably strong and brimmed with stamina in his eight-round drill against two Mexicans fighters.
But the defensive lapses were too stark to be overlooked by both fans and experts that again milled inside the Wild Card gym in Pacquiao’s second workout here since arriving from his Cebu training on Saturday.
Freddie Roach saw it all and, although the famous trainer did not readily manifest alarm, he promised to talk to Pacquiao about his initial apprehensions.
“Freddie (Roach) said he would have to ask Manny to polish up on defense and use his right hand with more confidence,” bared a Filipino newsman who talked to the trainer after the sparring Wednesday.
Twenty-one-year-old David Cervantes, 10-0, back from a year-and-a-half lay-off, got blasted around the ring, but also had Pacquiao on the receiving end during furious exchanges.
Cervantes, visibly overweight, confirmed that Pacquiao hits like a middleweight, but also suggested the RP boxing hero may not be exactly invincible.
“He’s very persistent and terribly powerful, but Barrera is more crafty, experienced,” Cervantes, an alternate in the 2004 Mexico boxing team, explained to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
Roach training deputy Eric Brown did notice the right hands that had clearly thudded on the green, sweat-swathed head gear, but explained Pacquiao could be expected to be more settled when he resumes sparring Thursday.
Pacquiao had an easier time with David Rodela in the second half of sparring and even allowed the lean Mexican to openly bang his body at midring in a display of hard-earned toughness.
Rodela, who was with Pacquiao in the Cebu training camp, also managed to score clear shots to the head.
“Well, in boxing, you could also be lucky,” he said, adding Pacquiao, based on their mock encounters, has been ready as early as two weeks ago.
Pacquiao did get applauded at the end of the sparring drill, but he was more delightful to watch when he worked non-stop for an hour and 21 minutes with the mitts on Monday.
He hosted lunch for fans and team members at the Nat’s Thai restaurant after Wednesday’s drill.
Pacquiao motors to Las Vegas on Monday, for the final tapering portion of preparations against Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Oct. 6.
Looks like trouble.
Sparmate sneaks in rights to Pacman’s head
By Recah Trinidad
Inquirer
Last updated 05:04am (Mla time) 09/27/2007
LOS ANGELES -- Manny Pacquiao’s mission to again crush Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera may not come trouble-free based on the result of a sparring session that saw the Filipino boxing superstar getting repeatedly tagged with right shots to the head Wednesday.
The 28-year-old Pacquiao, an overwhelming pick to repeat over Barrera whom he had stopped four years ago, was predictably strong and brimmed with stamina in his eight-round drill against two Mexicans fighters.
But the defensive lapses were too stark to be overlooked by both fans and experts that again milled inside the Wild Card gym in Pacquiao’s second workout here since arriving from his Cebu training on Saturday.
Freddie Roach saw it all and, although the famous trainer did not readily manifest alarm, he promised to talk to Pacquiao about his initial apprehensions.
“Freddie (Roach) said he would have to ask Manny to polish up on defense and use his right hand with more confidence,” bared a Filipino newsman who talked to the trainer after the sparring Wednesday.
Twenty-one-year-old David Cervantes, 10-0, back from a year-and-a-half lay-off, got blasted around the ring, but also had Pacquiao on the receiving end during furious exchanges.
Cervantes, visibly overweight, confirmed that Pacquiao hits like a middleweight, but also suggested the RP boxing hero may not be exactly invincible.
“He’s very persistent and terribly powerful, but Barrera is more crafty, experienced,” Cervantes, an alternate in the 2004 Mexico boxing team, explained to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
Roach training deputy Eric Brown did notice the right hands that had clearly thudded on the green, sweat-swathed head gear, but explained Pacquiao could be expected to be more settled when he resumes sparring Thursday.
Pacquiao had an easier time with David Rodela in the second half of sparring and even allowed the lean Mexican to openly bang his body at midring in a display of hard-earned toughness.
Rodela, who was with Pacquiao in the Cebu training camp, also managed to score clear shots to the head.
“Well, in boxing, you could also be lucky,” he said, adding Pacquiao, based on their mock encounters, has been ready as early as two weeks ago.
Pacquiao did get applauded at the end of the sparring drill, but he was more delightful to watch when he worked non-stop for an hour and 21 minutes with the mitts on Monday.
He hosted lunch for fans and team members at the Nat’s Thai restaurant after Wednesday’s drill.
Pacquiao motors to Las Vegas on Monday, for the final tapering portion of preparations against Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Oct. 6.
Looks like trouble.