GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- “Work hard,” Manny Pacquiao said when asked to give his message to his opponent WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina during a media interview after his Friday training camp at the Pacman Wildcard Gym here.
Pacquaio said they've watched Matthysse's video fights and have studied his moves.
Pacquaio underwent mitts training with coach Buboy Fernandez on the ring as strength and conditioning coach Justine Fortune and assistant coach Nonito Donaire Sr. gave some inputs on the side in between breaks.
Some supporters came to watch his training including Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey who was in the region for the staging of the 2nd Indigenous Peoples Games in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Pacquaio said, “Okay naman condition ko, hindi naman ako napapagod.” This despite the rigid training schedule that includes a daily jog at the city's sports complex in the morning and alternate sparring and mitts training in the afternoon.
He also said that they will wrap up the camp here and will no longer hold another one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where the title fight will be held.
“Sa July 9 na ang alis namin,” he said.
Fernandez said they are currently 80 percent ready barely one month left in their preparations.
He said, “Nakita nyo naman kanina sa training, maganda ang kondisyon ni Manny. Malaki ang chance na maipanalo ang laban pero hindi namin kakayanin na kami lang, kailangan namin ang mga panalangin ng buong sambayanan.”
He added that they are trying to improve on Pacquaio's footwork and on his right punch.
“May sorpresa sa kanan nya,” Fernandez said.