Larios to train in Japan for Pacman tiff

Mexican fighter Oscar Larios will pitch camp in Japan in his preparation for his July 2 fight with Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Box-latino website reported yesterday that Larios handlers have tied up with influential Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda in search of left-handed junior lightweights who could help Larios prepare against Pacquiao.

Larios’ trainer Edison Reinoso said they will start training for the fight by next week in Guadalajara. They will leave for Japan on June 2, a month before the showdown with the Filipino icon.

"We have chosen Teiken Gym, property of Mr. Honda, because it has sparmates who are shorter and left-handed junior lightweight and that will be helpful so that Larios can adapt to Pacquiao’s style," said Reinoso.

"On Monday in Guadalajara we will begin our physical preparation and weight-training, because the fight will be in super-featherweight and Larios must gain weight with muscles," Reinoso also said.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, intends to train in the United States for three weeks before returning to the country and do the final part of his preparation against Larios in Baguio.

The Filipino pug, who’s still with his family in his hometown Gen. Santos City, will have the San Miguel Corp. property in Baguio practically all to himself when he undertakes high-altitude training at the country’s summer capital.

Members of Team Pacquiao led by Erik Pineda are to conduct an ocular inspection of the SMC property next week, and try to determine the type of equipment that are needed to be brought up to Baguio from Manila.

Another SMC property in Tagaytay City was also offered as Pacquiao’s training camp, but the 27-year-old knockout artist, and his American trainer Freddie Roach, both preferred Baguio because of its higher altitude and colder weather.