Freddie Roach says Pacquiao 'on fire' in first sparring session

Manny Pacquiao did five hard rounds of sparring with two different sparring partners on Tuesday (Wednesday PHL time) at the famed Wild Card gym in Los Angeles in preparation for his long awaited showdown against Floyd Mayweather on May 2.

 

"Manny looked so fresh today. I’m very happy with what he showed me. You couldn’t tell he had been away from the ring since the Algieri fight in November," said Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach.

 

"Manny is on fire in the gym. I am confident May 2 will be celebrated for years to come as St. Manny’s Day – the day he drove Mayweather out of boxing!”

 

Unbeaten prospects Kenneth Simms Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) and Rashidi Ellis (14-0, 11 KOs) took the ring with Pacquiao.

 

"After 13 days of strength and conditioning and boxing drills at Wild Card plus weeks more of working out in the Philippines in February, it was great to finally put on the headgear and spar,” said Pacquiao.

 

“My sparring partners gave me good work today. They were perfect for testing the strategy Freddie and I have developed to beat Floyd Mayweather. I was very happy with my stamina and speed today.” —JST, GMA News