Tall sparmates to test Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – A couple of tall fighters are set to fly to the Philippines this week to help boxing icon Manny Pacquiao prepare for his upcoming fight with Chris Algieri.

According to a report by Philboxing.com’s Rich Mazon, chief trainer Freddie Roach will be planing in to General Santos City with the two sparring partners in tow as Pacquiao goes full gear in training.

The report, quoting Roach’s assistant Marvin Somodio, said boxers Stan Martyniouk and Viktor Postol have been tapped to be Pacquiao’s sparmates.

Postol, an undefeated Ukrainian light welterweight with a record of 26-0, with 11 knockouts, stands 5-foot-11. Martyniouk, on the other hand, is a 5-foot-10 lightweight from the US.

“Matatangkad sila, lalo na si Viktor, 5’11” ata yung si Viktor Postol. At saka pareho silang boxer, lalo si Viktor Postol, magaling mag-jab yun,” Somodio told Mazon.

The two fighters are expected to give Pacquiao a feel of what it is like to face tall, rangy boxer like Algieri, who at 5-foot-10 will be the fighting congressman’s tallest opponent in a while. Pacquiao actually fought and defeated a 5-foot-11 Antonio Margarito four years ago, but the Mexican has limited boxing skills and mobility.

Algieri, for his part, is a different specimen with his sharp jab and solid overall boxing skills.

Pacquiao has started working out last week under conditioning coach Justin Fortune. He and Algieri lock horns on Nov. 23 at Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao in Macau, China.