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Prime prospects Alexis Rocha and Maurice Lee have sparred with the best fighters out there. On Thursday afternoon, they got the chance to test their mettle against the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
Drenched in sweat after sharing the ring with Pacquiao at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, both are convinced trouble is heading towards Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday, August 21 (Sunday, August 22, Philippine time).
The 24-year-old Rocha, a 5-foot-10 southpaw who has been a dance partner to the likes of four-division world champion Canelo Alvarez, currently ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound, unbeaten three-division champion Terence Crawford, and unified light welterweight champion Jermain Taylor, was surprised Pacquiao can still show new steps.
“Honestly, it (sparring with Pacquiao) is different,” Rocha (17-1 with 11 knockouts) told ESNEWS. “It’s his awkwardness, the way he throws his punches. It’s like what the hell is happening. Where are they (punches) coming from.”
Still fresh from his two-round demolition of Filipino Jameson Bacon on June 19, Rocha was impressed with Pacquiao’s “very quick footwork” and said he’ll surely gain experience and knowledge from the eight-division world champion in the coming days.
Lee, who has served as one of Floyd Mayweather’s sparring partners in his preparations for Pacquiao in 2015, got convinced the Filipino icon will be able to snatch Spence’s World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight crowns as well as the vacant The Ring welterweight crowns.
“He (Pacquiao) is sharp. I predict a decision win over Spence, possibly a knockout, said Lee, also 5-foot-10 southpaw with a 12-1-2, 5 knockouts slate.
MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions president Sean Gibbons enlisted the services of Rocha and Lee.
Other southpaws being considered to spar with Pacquiao by chief trainer Freddie Roach are veteran Ukrainian light welterweight Ivan Redkack (23-6-1), who’s eye level with Spence at 5-9 1/2, and 6-foot super welterweight Tyrrell Washington, 3-0 all by knockout. – Rappler.com
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