BRISBANE, Australia – Manny Pacquiao doesn’t take it personally that a Filipino boxer helped Jeff Horn get in shape for their welterweight title showdown this Sunday.
Czar Amonsot was commissioned by the camp of the Australian challenger to be his main sparring partner in training camp in his buildup for a first-ever attempt at a world championship.
The 31-year-old Amonsot, a southpaw like Pacquiao and now based in Melbourne, obviously was employed to specifically imitate the style of his compatriot inside the ring.
Pacquiao is familiar about Amonsot, a native of Tagbilaran City who remains active until today, and knows the 31-year-old Filipino was a big help in training Horn for the 12-round fight dubbed ‘Battle of Brisbane.’
Incidentally, Pacquiao also has an Australian for a sparring partner in lightweight George Kambosos Jr., who is from Sydney.
“It helps Jeff Horn,” said Pacquiao when he conducted an open workout for members of the media on Tuesday at the Suncorp Stadium here.
“But to me, it’s just the two of us, me and Horn who will fight inside the ring.”
Horn, 29, has nothing but nice words for Amonsot, who he describes as an ‘amazing sparring partner.’
While no one can really imitate Pacquiao perfectly, the Australian said Amonsot (28-3-3, with 17 KOs) did his best to act like the boxing legend inside the ring.
“He was really good. Czar Amonzot is, I think, a perfect sparring for me,” he said.
“He’s the same style as Manny. He moves similarly. I think you can’t mimic Manny Pacquiao in what he does, but he’s trying as hard as he could for me. He’s a tough guy and he did all the rounds for me.”
Amonsot last fought of April this year with a third-round knockout of Zsigmond Vass at The Melbourne Pavillion in Flemington, Victoria.
But he’s best remembered for his raging 12-round war with Australian boxing hero Michael Katsidis at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Hotel in 2009.
The Filipino lost the back and forth bout via unanimous decision.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
