ShareThisBAGUIO CITY — World boxing titlist and Filipino idol Manny Pacquiao has resumed his uphill jogging at an exclusive golf course here to further build his stamina in his forthcoming tough fight against Antonio Margarito of Mexico.
Pacquiao and Margarito will fight for the vacant World Boxing Coucil (WBC) super welterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov. 13.
Manny Pacquio
Earlier, sparring partner Michael Medina confirmed he traded hard blows with the Filipino boxing icon and suffered a small cut below his eyes in a flurry of exchanges.
American coach Freddie Roach has confirmed to media visiting the training venue along Quirino Highway here that “Manny is in top shape and more than 100 percent ready for the fight.”
Pacquiao is set to face the taller Margarito for another heavier weight category championship bout which was not in the seven weight categories which he won in the past years and brought him the monicker “Pound for Pound King.”
The uphill climb forced the champion to rest twice before resuming the rigorous training.
Pacquiao said he is training hard as usual for the fight to ensure victory and honor to the Filipino people and country.
The Sarangani congressman stopped briefly his training to boost soldiers competing in their annual Cavalier Sports Fest and Family Day Festival of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo.
The pound-for-pound king was the guest of honor and guest speaker in the get-together of families of soldiers, retired military personnel and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni.
He also visited his family in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, then resumed his training in Baguio City.
Margarito, known as the “Tijuana Tornado,” expressed confidence that his bigger frame will pose a problem to Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao when they face off in Arlington, Texas.
“I’m training as hard as I can. You just have to put some pressure on Manny,” the Mexican said in a BoxingScene.com report.
“At this weight, I am stronger than him. I feel confident that I can knock him out,” declared the former world welterweight champion.
Margarito gave those statements after holding a workout in Oxnard, California.
Pacquiao has admitted that he is not a natural super welterweight.
The reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion disclosed that he has to maintain a weight of at least 150 lbs.
“Kaya pilit ko pa ring pinapataba ang aking katawan dahil kinakailangan ito patungo sa mas mahirap na mga susunod na linggo,” he said in his “Kumbinasyon” column on PhilBoxing.com.
“Kung hindi ako kakain nang wasto, mabilis na babagsak ang aking timbang dahil hindi naman talaga akong likas na super-welterweight,” he added.
The Sarangani province congressman also stated that his first week of training in Baguio City has been good.