Pacquiao starts high-altitude training

BAGUIO, Philippines  – Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao kicked off his training here yesterday in preparation for his keenly awaited fight with Timothy Bradley on June 9, feeling an even better person and fighter with the stronger presence of God in his corner.

Pacquiao and his entourage arrived before midnight Tuesday but by 6:30 a.m. he was out training to the surprise and delight of the early joggers at the Burnham Park oval.

Wearing a long-sleeved shirt and fatigue shorts, he thrilled the fans by jogging around the oval five times together with former world champion Rodel Mayol and did some shadow-boxing.

The Filipino champion said everything is the same as far as his buildup for the Bradley fight is concerned.

“Wala namang nagbago sa akin at focus pa rin ako sa training ko although ngayon eh mas masaya ako kasi I have God (Nothing has changed and I am still focused on my training although I’m happy and at peace with God by my side),” he said.

Pacquiao was actually scheduled to open training camp in Baguio last Monday but stayed in Manila for some “Bible classes,” according to one of Team Pacquiao members.

Pacquiao also starts his gym work along Naguillan Road with trainer Alex Arriza and coach Freddie Roach, who arrived here as early as last week.

Roach is reportedly bringing in a Russian sparring partner with style similar to Bradley.

He said they can’t tap Amir Khan, also in Baguio training for a rematch with Lamont Peterson, as sparring partner since his style is different from Bradley’s.

Ruslan Provodnikov, who owns an impressive 21-0 record with 14 knockouts, will come in anytime Roach asks him to.

”Iba ang galaw ni Bradley. Magaling sa head movement at yun ang pag-aaralan namin at medyo magulang din (Bradley has lots of moves. He has a good head movement and we will focus on that. He’s also clever),” said Pacquiao’s Pinoy trainer Buboy Fernandez.