MANILA, Philippines - Sinabi ni strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune na hindi siya gagawa ng prediksyon kung paano matatapos ang laban ngunit tiniyak namang mananalo si WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao laban kay Chris Algieri sa Macau sa Nobyembre 23.
“I guarantee (that) Manny wins,” wika ni Fortune, nagtatrabaho ngayon kasama si Pacquiao sa gym sa General Santos City. “I never predict how a fight will end but I can tell you Manny beats Algieri. How does Manny win? He fights his fight, he listens to Freddie (Roach), he stays sharp and that’s the end of it.”
Ipinagwalang-bahala ng 48-anyos na si Fortune ang sinasabing bilis ni Algieri na magagamit niya sa laban na kanyang napakinabangan nang makabangon mula sa dalawang knockdowns sa first round at saradong kanang mata sa kanyang panalo kay Ruslan Provodnikov noong Hunyo.
“Let’s face it, Provodnikov made Algieri look good, better than what he really is,” wika ni Fortune. “Provodnikov stood in front of Algieri. He was in great shape for the fight but that’s not how you fight Algieri. Is Algieri’s speed a concern? We’ll soon find out. Manny’s quick, too. I don’t think Algieri’s quicker. Once Manny starts hitting Algieri, I’d like to see how quick Algieri runs.”
Sa kasalukuyan, sinabi ni Fortune na si Pacquiao ay tumitimbang ng 148 pounds.
Ang laban nila ni Algieri ay gagawin sa catchweight na 144 pounds na mas mababa sa welterweight limit na 147.
“Making weight has never been a problem with Manny because he’s always in shape,” ani Fortune.
Ayon pa kay Fortune, si Pacquiao na ang bahalang magdesisyon kung maglalaro sa kanyang PBA debut para sa Kia sa Oktubre 19 .
“Manny’s his own man,” wika ni Fortune. “I heard Freddie doesn’t want him to play. That’s up to Freddie and Manny. I stay out of that. If I’m asked for my advice, I’ll say Manny’s smart not to take any risk. Maybe, he can play about 10 minutes if he wants to but he’s got to play smart.”