MANILA, Philippines — Three sparmates took on WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao in a total of eight rounds last Christmas Day as training stepped up for the ring icon’s first title defense against four-time world titlist Adrien Broner with Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez and Justin Fortune working together at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
It was like old times in the sweat shop for Team Pacquiao. While Pacquiao went through his routine, there was an air of excitement in the air. Pacquiao hadn’t worked out at Wild Card since training for Jessie Vargas two years ago so the homecoming wasn’t just sentimental but also a signal that it’s business as usual. Nobody talked about the estrangement with Roach since the Jeff Horn fight and nobody cared. The vibes were good and Pacquiao made sure everyone was on the same page. There’s a mission to accomplish so focus must be sharp to stay on the right track.
The sparmates were superfeatherweight Lydell Rhodes, lightweight George Kambosos and welterweight Arnold Gonzalez. Rhodes, 31, has won four of his last five outings to raise his record to 27-3-1, with 13 KOs. Kambosos, 25, is 15-0, with 9 KOs and will see action in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Broner mainer at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Jan. 19. Gonzalez, 23, is from George Foreman III’s Everybodyfights Gym in New York and a two-time Golden Gloves champion. He’s ticketed to make his pro debut in the Pacquiao-Broner undercard.
On Pacquiao’s first day of sparring at Wild Card, he went three rounds each with Rhodes and Kambosos and two with Gonzalez. Las Vegas-based matchmaker Sean Gibbons watched the workout and said he was impressed with Pacquiao’s speed, stamina, power, footwork and defense.
“Manny’s attitude is very happy,” said Gibbons. “He looked great. On the first day of training (last Monday), it was Manny on the pads with Buboy. The next day, it was with Freddie. Manny’s two older sons (Jimuel and Michael) were at the gym, too. He’ll spar again on Thursday (yesterday). Each sparring partner has a different style. Kambosos is more of a boxer with speed. He’s not a huge puncher but he keeps the senator thinking.”
Gibbons said superflyweight contender Aston Palicte, ranked No. 2 by the WBO and No. 6 by the WBC, is also training at Wild Card with his coach, former WBC lightflyweight champion Rodel Mayol. Palicte, 27, will face unbeaten Jose (Chiquiro) Martinez of Puerto Rico at the Oak Ballroom of the Viejas Casino Resort in Alpine, San Diego, on Jan. 31. Martinez, 26, has a 20-0-2 record, with 13 KOs, while Palicte’s slate is 24-2-1, with 20 KOs. At 5-8, Palicte has a 3 1/2 inch height advantage over Martinez.
Team Pacquiao’s Winchell Campos said, “On Christmas Day, while the rest of the world was busy exchanging gifts with loved ones, Manny traded blows with three sparring partners.” Campos said the three sparmates kept Pacquiao busy. “Gonzalez gave a good account of himself, showing the skills that made him a two-time national champion,” he said. “Rhodes is a close clone of Broner’s fight stance and style. Kambosos matched speed with speed.”
Gonzalez predicted Pacquiao to beat Broner. “Pacquiao’s still got it,” he said. “I think Broner’s really talented and if he brings his A-game (into the ring), he can give anyone a good match but I don’t see that happening. I see Pacquiao beating Broner.”
Pacquiao described Broner as “a top caliber fighter and a good boxer.” “I chose Broner (as opponent) because we can have a good fight and entertain the fans,” he said. “You don’t want to miss the opportunity to see this great and prestigious fight with Broner. I know he’s fast, he’s good and we have to work hard and train hard for this fight so the people will be happy. We will give a good fight for the fans. I want to fight the biggest fighters in the world and one of those is Broner. We cannot underestimate him.”