The most critical phase of Manny Pacquiao’s buildup for the Chris Algieri defense of his world welterweight title on Nov. 23 in Macau started yesterday when the fighting congressman went eight rounds with three sparmates.
Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz said the Filipino star banged bodies with Stan Martyniouk, Mike Jones and Viktor Postol, who is the latest addition to the training camp in General Santos City.
“Very good,” remarked Koncz, who is now joined there by Top Rank chief Bob Arum and noted publicist Fred Sternburg.
Arum is in town to check on Pacquiao’s training and accompany the fighter to Hong Kong for a brief appearance there during this weekend to promote the Algieri bout.
Trainer Freddie Roach said the sparring session won’t be allowed to be filmed since it is during these days when master and student discuss their battleplan for the Algieri match scheduled for 12 rounds at the CotaiArena.
Meanwhile, Algieri has set up camp in Las Vegas with the facilities of The Palazzo, a property owned by the same group that handles The Venetian, being allowed to be used by the unbeaten New Yorker.
Team Algieri will camp out in Sin City until Nov. 13, the day they leave for Macau.
Pacquiaio suited up and played seven minutes with his Kia Sorento team in the PBA last Sunday but vowed to stay away from the game until after the Algieri fight.