Pacquiao kicks off sparring with 4 rounds vs Tszyu

Roy Luarca

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Pacquiao kicks off sparring with 4 rounds vs Tszyu
The son of former world champion Kosta Tszyu spars with Manny Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – As his former main sparmate was unavailable, Manny Pacquiao got a new ring partner on Tuesday afternoon, June 4. 

Shrugging off jet lag, Tim Tszyu, an unbeaten Australian (13-0, 10 knockouts) of Russian descent, was given the first chance to spar with the eight-division world champion for 4 rounds at Elorde Gym near the Mall of Asia.

Tszyu, son of former world champion Kosta Tszyu, arrived Monday night, June 3, but came out prepared to take over the role played by unbeaten George Kambosos Jr (16-0, 9 KOs) – an Australian of Greek lineage – in Pacquiao’s last 3 fights against Jeff Horn, Lucas Matthysse, and Adrien Broner, respectively.

The 24-year-old Tsyzu will try to replicate the fight stance and ring habits of Keith Thurman, an unbeaten American (30-0, 22 KOs) who will tangle with Pacquiao in a unification duel for the World Boxing Association welterweight crown on Saturday, July 20 (Sunday, July 21, Philippine time) at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Actually, Tsyzu is a better fit for Pacquiao as a sparring partner considering he’s an inch taller and rangier than Thurman at 5-foot-8 1/2. Tszyu is also perceived to be the heavier puncher considering he’s a natural super welterweight.

Knowing he needs to be in better shape for the second sparring session on Thursday, June 6, Tszyu worked out with strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune – also an Australian based in Los Angeles – right after the four-rounder with Pacquiao.

According to Tszyu, Pacquiao “is fast and very relaxed” in their feeling out workout watched by lead trainer Buboy Fernandez, Fortune, and assistant trainers Nonoy Neri and Roger Haplas.

Fortune told the media on Saturday, June 1, that Kambosos “is not good for this camp” as he has a fight scheduled in Athens, Greece, on June 7.

Neri said the sparring went well with Cebuano Jeric Chavez tapped to join Tszyu on Thursday in helping Pacquiao regain his rhythm and timing.

Sparring will be held Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles on June 15 to continue the final phase of his preparations for Thurman at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

Roach has reportedly lined up a bunch of fighters to spar with Pacquiao upon his arrival. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!