Pacquiao impressive in gym workout

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao once again skipped his roadwork yesterday but was impressive in his first day of sparring at the Shape Up Gym where he did four rounds with Mexican Glen Tapia.

 “It was a very good sparring. Freddie Roach was very happy and he had no complaints,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz.

Pacquiao played basketball Wednesday evening and spent more time with the treadmill the morning after. While his handlers say it’s perfectly fine, experts believe going out on the road is still the best thing to do.

It’s the first time in training that Pacquiao has skipped roadwork quite often. Tuesday morning he also opted to stay in his hotel room after playing basketball the night before.

Pacquiao also complained of some pain on his left foot the other day. It may be considered a slight injury which he sustained while working out at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City last Friday.

This could be the reason why Roach pushed the first day of sparring from last Tuesday to yesterday.

“Still, he sparred well today,” said Koncz, who expects the number of rounds to gradually increase as the days come by. Another sparring partner, Michael Medina, may be tapped when sparring resumes tomorrow.

Koncz said sparring was done behind closed doors, and not even some members of Team Pacquiao were allowed in, as well as mediamen, including photographers based in Baguio City.

“Yes, even Team Pacquiao members were kept out. I think there were just three or four of us inside as he sparred,” said Koncz, of course not counting Roach and fellow trainers Alex Ariza, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

“Tapia did a very good job,” added Koncz of the 5-foot-11 junior welterweight.

Roach said Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. might come in as a sparring partner but seems to be have difficulty with his travel papers.

Even when Pacquiao was still in Manila, Tapia had already expressed his like for the Filipino champion who is gearing up for a Nov. 13 clash with Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC super-welterweight crown.

“He’s fast. He has the speed and he has the footwork. He’s going to pop Margarito,” said Tapia. – With report from Rose Tamayo-Tesoro