Pacquiao trains behind closed doors at Wild Card
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has entered the “Wild Card” phase of his preparation for the fourth chapter of his storied rivalry against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 8 (Dec. 9 in PH).
Pacquiao (54W-4L-2D, 38 KOs) spent his first two weeks of training in his hometown of General Santos City where he sparred with former WBO Oriental super featherweight titlist Anthony “Rocky” Marcial. His sessions in GenSan were supervised by assistant trainer and long time friend Buboy Fernandez.
Pacquiao’s sparring session at the Wildcard Boxing Gym owned by trainer Freddie Roach will be against old sparring mates Ray Beltran and Russian Ruslan Provodnikov. A third sparring mate, welterweight prospect Frank Gomez will be available next week. The 33 year-old Pacquiao started the day with his usual roadwork at Griffith Park.
Security was tight at the gym with no media members allowed to go inside. Pacquiao is still the betting favorite against the 39 year-old Marquez (54W-6L-1D, 39 KOs).
Las Vegas odds state that a bettor needs to put in $400 just to win $100 if you’re for Pacquiao. On the other hand, a bet of $100 wins $300 if you’re for Marquez.
Pacquiao has a two win-one draw record against Marquez but the Mexican legend claims he won all three fights.
