Smarter, shorter, more specific training for Pacquiao

Senator and boxer Manny Pacquiao is undergoing a shorter, but more intense training in preparation for his fight against  WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse, Mav Gonzales reported for "Unang Balita" on Wednesday.

His conditioning coach Justin Fortune said that Pacquiao "always comes to camp in good shape" and that provides a good base for them.

"We just train smarter; more specific training...and shorter," Fortune said.

Head trainer Buboy Fernandez said that it's the training team who has to adjust to Pacquiao's responsibilities as a senator, and as such Pacquiao trains for about an hour and a half max.

Team Pacquiao has seven more weeks before the fight against Matthysse and Pacquiao expressed confidence in the pace of his training.

"Maganda naman 'yong condition natin [and] we're in the right path. [Were controlling] it, para hindi mag-peak nang maaga [at hindi] ma-overtrain," the boxer said.

He and his training team will be flying to General Santos this coming Thursday, May 24, to continue preparing for the fight. His sparring partners are expected to arrive in the country next week.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Matthysse on July 15 in Malaysia. — Aya Tantiangco/LA/BAP, GMA News