Pacquiao hits peak in sparring

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao sparred 12 rounds in his own Wild Card Gym in General Santos City yesterday and entered the most crucial phase of his training for the coming WBO welterweight clash with Australian Jeff Horn.

Pacquiao is in his fifth week of intense training, and according to those around him, the 38-year-old champion is close to hitting peak form in time for the July 2 fight at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The fighting senator sparred with three different boxers, including Mexican Adrian Young and Australian George Kambosos, who was brought in to mimic Horn inside the ring.

From here, the number of sparring rounds will slide down to perhaps 10 and then eight, six and four until Pacquiao leaves for Brisbane on June 24 or a week before the fight.

An Air Asia jumbo jet that can carry 350 persons will fly Pacquiao, his family members, team members, friends and supporters, from GenSan to Brisbane.

Pacquiao stuck to his original plan of leaving the country just one week before the fight and not two weeks or 10 days as suggested by his trainer Freddie Roach and promoter Bob Arum.

Roach and Arum had wanted Pacquiao to head to Brisbane early so he can adjust himself to the new surroundings, including the 12-degree weather.

“We fly to Australia one week before the fight – not two weeks or 10 days,” Mike Koncz, the boxer’s personal adviser, told The STAR.

“Manny is not going to get jetlagged. The time difference is only two hours and he’s been there before. There was no jetlag,” he added.

Besides, Koncz said they’re trying to avoid anything that might disrupt Pacquiao’s focus on the fight, his first since he beat American Jessie Vargas on points last November.