by Nick Giongco
Manny Pacquiao is having his hands full in sparring with Australian super-welterweight champion Tim Tszyu that the Filipino legend’s right-hand man swears it will work wonders when he finally faces Keith Thurman on July 20 in Las Vegas.
“He’s got the senator thinking,” said American matchmaker Sean Gibbons, who facilitated Tszyu’s arrival here so Pacquiao can get quality work until next week.
Pacquiao, 40, leaves for Los Angeles on June 15 to commence the most crucial stage of the buildup with Freddie Roach chipping in some pointers when the entire camp relocates at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
Tszyu, 24, has an unblemished 13-0 record with 10 KOs and is the son of Russian Kostya Tszyu, known for knocking out Leopoldo Cantancio in the first round during the elimination phase of the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
The younger Tszyu began sparring with Pacquiao last Tuesday and again on Thursday. He will assume that role Saturday and the whole of next week to get Pacquiao in shape in time for his arrival in the US.
Gibbons believes the six sparring sessions against the heavy-handed and naturally bigger Australian will contribute heavily on Pacquiao’s bid to silence Thurman when they collide at the MGM Grand.
“On July 20th, the senator is going to do what he is expected to do – win,” said Gibbons, who is also the official international representative of countless Filipino boxing standouts including Jerwin Ancajas, John Riel Casimero, Marlon Tapales, Jhack Tepora and Samuel Salva.
