Pacquiao unfazed by DQ threat, will spar with Congolese boxer

Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday appeared unaffected by the petition filed by former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello on Monday asking the Commission on Elections to see if the boxer's upcoming fight violates election rules.

Pacquiao, who is running for senator in the May polls, remained focused on his training for his April bout with Timothy Bradley, a report of Mav Gonzales on Unang Balita said.

Bello said in his petition that the fight of Pacquiao with Bradley may give the boxer undue advantage in terms of media exposure.

Pacquiao however said he is not affected by the threat of disqualification and is abiding by the law.

In General Santos City on Monday, the boxer ran 16 times around a track oval then engaged in mitts training with Coach Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao's new sparring partner Mani Maduma, a Congolese boxer with an 11-1 win-loss record, will begin training with him on Tuesday.

Maduma, a former North American champion, said he believes Bradley will follow the style of Floyd Mayweather Jr. to maintain distance once inside the ring.

"We're gonna help Manny work with the distance, move a little bit," Maduma said.

"It's an honor for me that they chose me to help him for his last fight. I'm really excited to be here," he said.

Pacquiao meanwhile played basketball on Monday night as part of his cross training program.

The boxing champ's Team Emmanuel (with PBA legend Kenneth Duremdes) went against Team Bobslor of Bobby Pacquiao.

Team Bobslor won with a 103-101 score. —KG, GMA News