AS Manny Pacquiao’s training camp tapered off, sparring partner Saul Bustos' message to reigning World Boxing Council champion Mario Barrios was loud and clear.
“Hey, good luck Mario Barrios. Good luck, bro,” said Bustos by the end of one of the final sparring sessions the Filipino legend had at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles a week before the title fight.
“He (Pacquiao) hit so strong.”
READ Where to watch the Pacquiao vs Barrios world title fight
Bustos, 31, is one of four fighters brought in to help the history-seeking Pacquiao get in top shape in his bid to regain the welterweight championship belt after coming out of a four-year retirement.
But the California native served as Pacquiao’s chief sparring partner as his height is almost the same as the 30-year-old Barrios (6-foot) and a reach that is just as long.
Bustos sports a 15-2-1 record with eight KOs, and despite being inactive this year, was fortunate enough to get a call and become part of Pacquiao’s team for the Barrios bout.
“I’ve been busting (my) ass for the past few months, and to get this opportunity to be with a legend is surreal,” the 5-foot-11 American said.
“I feel privileged. I’ve been inactive for a few months, and to come back and be with a legend is really surreal.”
The Pacquiao team is winding up training camp in Los Angeles, and by Tuesday (Manila time) will be heading to Las Vegas for fight week.
Bustos, who was only five years old when the Filipino great won the first of his record eighth division world crowns, has been promised by Pacquiao a lucrative bonus if ever he successfully wrests the WBC title belt and become the oldest welterweight to win a world championship.
“I’m just grateful and blessed. To be part of the team and be chosen to help him (Pacquiao) out. I can’t thank God enough,” he said.
The Pacquiao-Barrios fight is set July 20 (Manila time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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.
