LAS VEGAS – The corner of Manny Pacquiao plans to set the tone in his welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios especially with the reigning World Boxing Council champion known to be a notoriously slow starter.
Strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune said it would be to Pacquiao’s advantage to be able to impose his will and power against the American early in their 12-round bout on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Barrios is a slow starter, so once Manny sets the pace, I just don’t see him (Barrios) keeping up,” said the 59-year-old Australian as Team Pacquiao holds its first Vegas training at the Knucklehead gym since arriving here late Monday night.
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“Remember, Manny can hit you with four-five-six punch combinations. And he lands three or four, maybe. Or maybe he will hit you bunch of punches and every shot hurts.”
Pacquiao sweat it out for almost two hours in the sweltering heat at the gym and was joined on the ring by fellow Filipino boxers James Martin and Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial.
Despite his advance age of 46, Pacquiao still has the speed and power that made him the only fighter in boxing history to win eight division world titles, according to Fortune.
“He’s fast, he’s firm, he’s strong. At 46, it’s crazy,” he said.
Fortune refers to those traits as a gift and a blessing, and it’s something which will play key factors in the fight.
“And that speed, that power changes everything,” Fortune added.
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