Spar mates rave over Pacman's speed

HOLLYWOOD – They get paid as sparring partners. Not as cheerleaders.

But Urbano Antillon, Rashad Holloway and Shawn Porter, who’ve all been part of Manny Pacquiao’s training for the Miguel Cotto fight, just can’t help carrying the placards, shouting.

“Manny is a very fast guy. I think his speed will take him to victory in this fight. “I just think Cotto is a little too slow, that’s one thing I believe,” said the 27-year-old Antillon, a Mexican who really looks more like an American.

Antillon came to Baguio City to be part of the training camp, and saw for himself how Pacquiao turned from a boxer who’s just so fast to someone who’d be impossible to catch when the bell sounds on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand.

“He’s the fastest person I’ve ever been there in the ring. He moves very fast and that’s one thing that overwhelms a lot of people,” he told Pinoy scribes at the Wild Card Gym.

Among those who found out about Pacquiao’s unbelievable speed in the ring include champions like David Diaz, Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton. They all agreed that Pacquiao had the power, but the kind of speed he had was another thing.

“He’s gotten a lot better and he is a good boxer. He’s a lot smarter that a lot of people think. But he has the fastest feet you ever want to see in your life. When I tell you that, I don’t think you guys understand that,” said Holloway.

“With Manny, you could be two feet out of range (then) he jumps at you pretty quick. His hands are pretty quick, but not the fastest. His feet are what’s so quick. He jumps on you and closes the distance so quick, you don’t even understand,” he was quoted as saying.

He went as far as saying, “I’m going with Manny – second round knockout.”

Porter, undefeated as a junior welterweight, carried the same impression after so many rounds of sparring with Pacquiao.       – Abac Cordero

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