The last time Manny Pacquiao fought was the victory over Keith Thurman in July 2019, and due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Pacman climbing the ring again soon seemed a remote a possibility. However, the Filipino boxing icon is supposedly ready to fight anytime or anyone as he remains in top form despite the long break from the ring.
This was the latest update furnished by Pacquiao's training chief Buboy Fernandez, answering the question if the fighting legislator is up to the challenge issued by Terence Crawford. Fernandez said the WBA welterweight title-holder is ready to defend the crown no matter who the opponent is, and if possible, the showdown can be staged anytime this year.
"There's no problem because his light training has been continuous, and because he sweats it out regularly, it's not a problem for him," the head trainer for Pacquiao was reported as saying, per the news story from Boxing Scene.
Fernandez added that his boss did not stop working out, even doing other things outside of boxing. Pacquiao's discipline when it comes to training, is the stuff of legendary tales, so it comes as no surprise that the Filipino champ is always geared up to box whenever necessary.
Fernandez declared: "We won't have a difficult time bringing his stamina up to speed once there's a schedule already."
The trainer was referring to the reported match between Pacquiao and Crawford. The latter's promoter, Bob Arum, has been looking to arrange a showdown that will unify the WBA and WBO welterweight bout, but the prevailing situation is proving to be a huge stumbling block.
Arum as chief of Top Rank will want a mega-fight for the Pacquiao-Crawford match up, but sports events at the moment cannot be held with a live audience in attendance. It's either the fight will be held behind closed doors, which is a letdown business-wise and in terms of excitement, or the blockbuster confrontation will have to wait out for the coronavirus pandemic to subside.
In any case, Justin Fortune is confident that Pacquiao will get back to his competitive shape in no time once he gets the summon to slug it out with Crawford.
The Pacman's conditioning coach said Pacquiao continued working amid the COVID-19 lockdown, so achieving the ideal fighting form should be easy for him. Fortune sees no problem in preparing the Filipino to fight again.
"I know he's working out every day, banging the heavy bag, skipping rope, running on the treadmill, doing drills," Fortune told ABS-CBN.
The Australian, however, said that due to the extended lay off from Pacquiao's last fight, the training camp for the next foe will take an additional two weeks to complete. After that, the Filipino boxing icon should be ready to go.
The earliest targeted date for Pacquiao's next fight in November, but he is not only set to meet Crawford. A possibility remains that the 8-division winner could face off with Mikey Garcia.
