Pacman upbeat and on track

HOLLYWOOD – It could only come as a bad news for Juan Manuel Marquez – everything falling into place in training for Manny Pacquiao.

Despite starting a bit late compared to the early grind by his Mexican rival in their buildup for the March 15 rematch, the Filipino icon remains upbeat two weeks into the eight-week preparation for his title crack at the Marquez’ WBC super featherweight belt.

“Tuloy tuloy na (Everything coming along fine),” said Pacquiao emerging from a two-hour workout at the crowded Wildcard Boxing Club gym along Vine Street.

The 29-year old Pacquiao earlier closeted himself inside American trainer Freddie Roach’s private room and worked on the punch mitts for four rounds with Filipino buddy Buboy Fernandez.

Eight more rounds on the mitts Pacquiao did with Roach later on the gym’s lone ring, unloading power shot after power shot with Top Rank’s matchmaker Bruce Trampler, named one of the most powerful people in boxing by Yahoo!Sports, an interested spectator at ringside.

“He’s never been in better shape than at this time (in training),” said Roach.

The Filipino champ, moving confidently and in high spirits, later went through shadow boxing drill, at one point, sharing the ring with younger brother Bobby who is slated for a showdown with Mexican Urbano Antillon in Las Vegas March 13.

Another week of light training is in store for the Filipino slugger for the rematch of his May 2004 duel with Marquez which ended in a controversial draw and has since stoked the fire of a second confrontation, staking national pride, honor and boxing legacy.

“An epic fight between a great Filipino fighter and a great Mexican champ, “ said Trampler.

Two more boxers have been lined up by Roach, hiking the number to six counter-punching sparring partners when Pacquiao goes into serious, heavy workout and sparring beginning either Feb. 4 or 5, according to Roach.

“I don’t want to burn him out,” said the former Trainer of the Year of the training timetable he programmed for Pacquiao.

One of the two new boxers in Roach list is Mexican J. Garcia. The others are Danny Cervantes, Roger (Speedy) Gonzales, David Rodela and 22-year old Adrian “A-Game” Gallon, a black American welterweight from San Francisco.

“He’s no doubt one of the best in the world but I’m just gonna try and do my best and hopefully give him the best work possible. I’m not intimidated but just very anxious and hopefully they’ll like what I’ll bring to the table,” said Gallon in a talk with John Chavez of Boxing News.

Meanwhile, Roach will be in Gerry Peñalosa’s corner when the Cebuano champ takes on Thai challenger Ratanachai Vorapin in a mandatory defense of his WBO bantamweight crown on March 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The American trainer will arrive on the day of the fight and leave the Pacquiao training chores to Fernandez for a period of three days.

“His presence will be a big boost to my confidence,” said Peñalosa who hopes to arrange a rematch with tormentor Daniel Ponce de Leon mid this year.