Pacquiao batters sparmates

Manny Pacquiao continued to show fine form in workouts, prompting his handlers to predict a victory when the Filipino fighter guns for the IBF super bantamweight crown against South Africa’s Lehlohonolo Ledwaba at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on June 23.

Marty Elorde and business manager Rod Nazario said Pacquiao has been battering his Mexican sparring partners at the Wild Card Gym of veteran trainer Freddie Roach near Hollywood with the latter saying "there is no fighter at 122 pounds today who could beat Pacquiao."

Roach said Pacquiao hits harder than his own fighter, WBC champion Willie Jorrin, and that even the touted Johnny Tapia would not be able to stand up to the 24-year-old Filipino who has been training in his gym since May 17.

Nazario said the handlers of Ledwaba must’ve thought Pacquiao wouldn’t have enough time to train for the title fight and decided to give him the title shot after No. 3 contender Enrique Sanchez pulled out because of injury.

"They didn’t realize that Manny was coming off a tough title defense against Wethya Sakmuangklang and has been training since then, looking forward to his US debut," said Nazario.

Pacquiao himself told Viva Vintage Sports he had "no problems" going 10 rounds with three separate Mexican sparring partners and that he had "learned a lot"’ from Roach whom he described as "excellent trainer from whom I am learning so much."

Pacquiao said he had learned to use his jab effectively and to defend himself against the noted counter-punching of Ledwaba who has a ring record of 31-1-1 with 22 knockouts as against Pacquiao who has a 32-2 record with 24 knockouts.

Promoter Murad Muhammad who recently signed up Pacquiao said "the kid cannot believe that he has received his opportunity so quickly after signing with me" even as he praised the IBF for being very systematic in going down the list of available contenders until they reached Pacquiao after Sanchez pulled out with an injury.

Mahummad added, "I am very pleased that under the court appointed monitor this system has been implemented and my young fighter will now get this opportunity."

The Pacquiao-Ledwaba title fight is on the undercard of "The Quest" with Oscar De La Hoya, "The Golden Boy" battling champion Javier Castillejo for the WBC super welterweight crown. Viva Vintage Sports will telecast "The Quest" over RPN 9 at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 24.