Pacquiao sharp as in Barrera tiff

With still 12 days before the big fight, Manny Pacquiao said he has already reached the condition as when he fought and demolished Marco Antonio Barrera, further boosting the confidence and chances of the Filipino boxing champion when he slugs it out with WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez on May 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

In an interview with Boxingscene.com, noted boxing analyst Moy Lainez said that Pacquiao called him by overseas telephone yesterday to inform him about his condition.

"If this is true, then you can imagine what kind of shape Manny will be in on fight night," said Lainez, who leaves for Los Angeles today along with Gerry Garcia, another member of Team Pacquiao and Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee.

Lainez pointed out that Pacquiao’s conditioning for the Barrera fight was superb and even Oscar De La Hoya had marvelled at the physical shape of Pacquiao who was so impressive in his 11th round knockout of Barrera at the Alamodome last Nov. 15.

WBC founding secretary-general Rudy Salud said he was "elated over news of Pacquiao’s current condition and his performance in sparring" at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach.