MANNY Pacquiao will hook up with the past once training camp for his coming fight with Brandon Rios gets in full swing.
The boxing star is reuniting with former strength and conditioning coach Justine Fortune to get himself ready for his ring return on November 24 in Macau.
Fortune takes the place of Alex Ariza, who recently had a falling out with trainer Freddie Roach after working with the team of the Filipino ring idol for almost five years.
Ariza ironically, succeeded Fortune as strength and conditioning coach of the Pacman following a similar dispute with Roach in 2007.
Pacquiao refused to personally confirm his reunion with the former heavyweight contender, who’s expected to arrive in the country on October 6.
“Tsaka na natin i-announce kapag dumating na,” said the 34-year-old eight-time world champion following a two-hour workout at the MP Tower in Manila on Monday afternoon.
Asked about Ariza, who officially came on board during Pacquiao’s fight with Oscar Dela Hoya in 2008, the congressman from the province of Sarangani said all he knows is that he’s no longer part of the team.
“Matagal ng nakaalis (Ariza). Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya,” said Pacquiao.
As he awaits the arrival of Roach and Fortune in General Santos City, Pacquiao sweated it out by doing the mitts for eight rounds with former world title contender Jonathan Penalosa.
He also shadow boxed, did the speed ball and skipping rope, before capping it all with his rigid abdominal exercises.
“Kailangan talaga focus sa training at focus sa fight,” said the boxing icon, who is coming off two straight losses last year, including a stunning sixth-round knockout at the hands of Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez last December.
“Marami tayong responsibilidad na kailangang gawin sa laban na ito. At yan ay hindi natin magagawa kung wala ang Panginoon sa atin. Useless ang trabaho natin kung wala ang Panginoon,” added Pacquiao.
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