Roach elated over Pacquiao’s return to form

Behind closed doors, Manny Pacquiao staged his last heavy workout yesterday. He was so impressive that American trainer Freddie Roach said he couldn’t ask for more.

"I’m very happy with his performance today. He was great in sparring," said Roach after the two-hour session at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines gym.

Pacquiao had the great day going earlier than usual. Instead of 5 a.m., he got out of Manila Hotel’s Aguinaldo Suite an hour ahead for his daily 5-mile run.

"We couldn’t ask for a better day than today. Whatever I asked for, he gave it," added Roach of his flamboyant boxer who was already warming up at the gym at 10 a.m.

Told that Roach was so impressed with the day’s results, Pacquiao said he was just as happy.

"As long as my coach is happy, then I’m happy," said Pacquiao before leaving the gym for a hefty lunch at the buffet area of a nearby hotel.

After dropping by at his home in Paranaque, Pacquiao motored all the way to Quezon City to visit President Arroyo, who’s confined at St. Luke’s. He did not stay long at the hospital as he needed to rest, too.

Pacquiao is not having any problem with his weight. With exactly eight days left before facing Oscar Larios, Pacquiao is just a fraction off the 130 lb limit.

Unlike in the previous days, security was tighter at the gym as Pacquiao’s burly bodyguards acted as gatekeepers. American Rob Peters did the screening of those who got past the gate.

Pacquiao sparred five rounds with Russian Rustam Nugaev, had three rounds of mitts with Roach, eight straight minutes on the speedball, 10 minutes with the skipping ropes and went six minutes shadow boxing.

Pacquiao spent another 30 minutes on top of the ring for an amazing 700 sit-ups and crunches of different angles. Assisting him were Pinoy trainers Nonoy Neri and Buboy Fernandez.

As he got off the ring, he received a round of applause.

Pacquiao started slow in sparring and picked up the pace in the third. He jarred Nugaev with a big right hook and followed it up with a barrage that almost sent his mate back to Russia.

At times, Pacquiao did allow himself to get hit, leaning against the ropes and letting Nugaev fire some heavy body shots and occasional head shots.

Pacquiao smiled them off.

After five rounds, the two boxers took off their protective gears, and they slapped high fives. Nugaev is being paid $500 a week as Pacquiao’s favorite sparring partner.

"Manny was great in sparring and I’m very happy. His timing was great and I’m very happy with the right hook. The body shots were there where he wanted them to be," said Roach.

Pacquiao will be back on the road and at the gym today for a light workout. Then he’ll take a full day off tomorrow, the day his Mexican opponent arrives from Japan.

The two fighters will meet the press through a public workout on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum, and once again for the final press conference Thursday. The weigh-in is scheduled Saturday.