Pacquiao’s ring savvy impresses spar mate

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Unbeaten Lydell Rhodes knows Manny Pacquiao is fast and strong. He’s familiar with the Filipino ring icon’s exploits and has heard of his immense skills.

Still, the American boxer was awed after their first sparring session at the Pacman Wild Card Gym here Thursday afternoon left him with a bloody nose.

“He’s so fast. I couldn’t see where his punches came from,” Rhodes told the INQUIRER. “He threw lots of combinations and he can knock down his opponents with any of his punch.”

Rhodes, who holds a 19-0 record spiked with nine knockouts, will serve as Pacquiao’s spar mate for the early part of the Sarangani representative’s training camp in the Philippines.

Aside from Pacquiao’s blinding speed, what amazed Rhodes the most was the Fighter of the Decade’s power and ring savvy.

“He’s a complete fighter. He has the speed, power and brain. He’s a flyweight who punches like a middle weight,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes revealed that he is being paid $1,000 per week as sparring partner of Pacquiao.

Chief trainer Freddie Roach also offered him a $1,500 bonus if he can knock down Pacquiao. during sparring session,” Rhodes said.

Filipino trainer Nonoy Neri, however, was modest in assessing Pacquiao’s current form.

“Our Pinoy ring icon is just around 70 percent ready. We need to polish his jab and enhance his speed. But what he needs right now is just minor adjustments,” Neri said.

Team Pacquiao is set to fly to United States on March 8 for the final stage of his preparation for the April 12 rematch with Bradley at MGMGrand in Las Vegas.

There, more sparring partners like Steve Forbes and Kendall Holt await Pacquiao.