MANILA, Philippines - Aminado si two-time world boxing champion Jorge Linares ng Venezuela na malaki ang naitulong ng kanyang pakikipag-sparring kay Filipino world eight-division titlist Manny Pacquiao.
Ayon kay Linares, dinala ni trainer Freddie Roach sa Baguio City para maka-spar si Pacquiao, isang malaking karangalan na makasabayan si ‘Pacman’ bilang paghahanda sa kanyang laban kay Antonio DeMarco sa Linggo sa undercard ng light heavyweight championship fight nina Bernard Hopkins at Chad Dawson sa Staples Center sa Los Angeles.
“It is always great to train with a great fighter like Manny. For me, Manny helped in every aspect,” ani Linares. “The only difference is that DeMarco is taller. But when you’re training with the best fighter in the world, you have no choice but to step up your game twice as much.”
Pag-aagawan nina Linares, may 31-1-0 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 20 KOs, at DeMarco (25-2-1, 18 KOs) ang bakanteng World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title.
Itataya naman ni Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) ang kanyang suot na WBO welterweight title laban kay Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) sa Nobyembre 12 sa MGM Grand sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sina Linares at Marquez ay parehong maituturing na mga ‘technical fighters’.
“I helped Manny because Marquez and I are very similar technical fighters. The only difference is that I’m taller and probably twice as fast,” ani Linares.
Sakaling manalo kay DeMarco, tatargetin naman ni Linares si Erik Morales, ang kauna-unahang Mexican four-division champion.