Roach handles Manny’s training

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao welcomed Freddie Roach with 12 good rounds of mitts session at the Elorde Gym in Pasay City as  preparations for his title fight with Australian Jeff Horn shifted to high gear yesterday.

Roach quietly slipped into town Sunday when most members of Team Pacquiao thought he was arriving yesterday.

The American boxing mentor came in with Australian strength and conditioning expert Justin Fortune.

Roach and Fortune showed up at the gym named after the late Filipino boxing legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde even before Pacquiao arrived at around noontime.

Pacquiao trained earlier than usual so he could catch and join an afternoon session at the Senate.

Roach, according to Team Pacquiao mainstay Haplas Fernandez, was happy and satisfied with what he saw.

“Masaya si coach (Roach) kasi kundisyon na si boss (Pacquiao),” said Fernandez, brother of assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez.

Pacquiao staged his first sparring session with two Filipino boxers last Saturday, doing four rounds as  his July 2 title bout with Horn moved just six weeks away.

Roach did not bring in any sparring partner last Sunday although it is expected that one or two will arrive any day from now.

According to Fernandez, Pacquiao will resume sparring today.

It was a normally busy day for Pacquiao who went out for a morning round around Forbes Park at six o’clock, then to the gym at noon and to the Senate floor in the afternoon.