Khan, ka-ispar ni Pacquiao

Maliban kina American light middleweights Rashad Halloway at Yuri Foreman at light welterweight Marvin Cordova, Jr., isa rin si Briton lightweight Amir Khan sa mga sparring partner ni Manny Pacquiao.

 Kagaya ni Pacquiao, nakatakda ring lumaban ang 21-anyos na si Khan sa Disyembre 6 kontra kay Oisin Fagan sa London, England. 

 “It’s good work for Manny, and a great confidence builder for Khan,” ani trainer Freddie Roach. “His height and reach is a challenge for Manny, and Amir is such a great athlete. He’s been doing really well in the sparring.” 

 Tangan ni Khan, silver medalist sa 2004 Athens Olympic Games, ang 18-1 win-loss ring record kasama ang 14 KOs matapos makatikim ng isang first-round KO kay Breidis Prescott noong Setyembre 6.

 Ikinukumpara ni Roach si Khan sa 35-anyos na si Oscar Dela Hoya, makakatapat ng 29-anyos na si Pacquiao sa Disyembre 6 sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas, Nevada. 

 “Khan looks sharp in the early rounds,” sabi ni Roach kay Khan. “He really comes out strong but I think sparring with Manny might be a bit overwhelming for him and he seems to peak very early with a lot of excited energy. After a few rounds Manny starts to really catch up with him. It’s good work for both of them and it’s sure great to.”

 Naniniwala naman si Khan, ang Commonwealth lightweight titlist, na kayang talunin ng 5-foot-6 na si Pacquiao ang isang 5’10 1/2 na si Dela Hoya. 

 “Manny’s in great shape --very explosive, very fast, you don’t know where his punches are coming from. He’s got a good chance to beat Oscar,” wika ni Khan, 21. ”

”Manny’s so sharp and quick. Speed is power. Manny’s got a good chin to handle what Oscar throws at him. He’ll just be too explosive for Oscar, and he’s a big puncher himself.” (Russell Cadayona)