Manny Pacquiao versus Adrien Broner: No sparring, no problem

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao’s trainer is not worried at all that the world champion who is nearing his 40th birthday had skipped sparring the other day at the Elorde Gym in Pasay City.

No one pushed the panic button either when Pacquiao suffered leg cramps during his sparring session with  Greek-Australian George Kambosos Jr. last Saturday.

“Nothing to worry about,” said Buboy Fernandez yesterday.

Pacquiao arrived at the gym before 5 p.m. yesterday from Batasang Pambansa where a joint session tackled the 2019 national budget.

Fernandez was just glad to see his boss back at the gym. He said nothing heavy was on tap.

“He will spar tomorrow (today) so nothing heavy today. Besides, he does heavy training in the morning and regularly plays basketball,” said Fernandez in Filipino.

Fernandez said there’s nothing wrong giving Pacquiao some extra time off the gym.

“Para hindi siya masunog (So he does not burn out). Mas maganda pa nga (It’s even better). Hindi siya laspag (He’s not spent),” said Fernandez.

“He’s okay,” he added.

Pacquiao logged in 15 rounds of sparring last week. Strength coach Justin Fortune said the numbers would increase in the coming days.

“From here, we go eight then a couple of 10s and a twelve. Then we go back down to 10, eight and so forth,” said Fortune.

Pacquiao will turn 40 on Dec. 17 and is expected to throw a party in his home province as he continues to gear up for his first fight on American soil in two years.