Manny paquiao (right) hits the mitts with his long time friend and trainer Buboy FernandesThis early, Buboy Fernandez is cautioning reigning World BoxingOrganization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao not to take Chris Algieri lightly and to avoid the unbeaten American’s “killer left hook.”Fernandez, who has been Pacquiao’s trainer since the Filipino ring icon’s early years in the ring, believes the 30-year-old Algieri (20-0 win-loss record with eight knockouts) is good and strong.“I told him [Pacquiao] that he can’t allow Algieri to control the fight with his flurry of jabs and especially his left killer hook,” Fernandez told The Manila Times on Thursday through a phone interview.“Although he doesn’t get that much attention, that kid is strong and we can’t relax,” he said.Pacquiao and the New Yorker will square off on November 22 at the Venetian Hotel’s Cotai Arena in Macau, China.Many ring analysts predict a win for Pacquiao (56-5-2 win-loss-draw card with 38 knockouts). Fernandez is also convinced the 35-year-old Saranggani congressman will win convincingly but stopped short of predicting a knockout.“Of course, I believe Manny will win this fight but we have to train very smart,” he said.Fernandez said Pacquiao, who held eight weight world division titles, is in serious training in his hometown in General Santos City.“Manny’s aura is different now compared to his previous training. He is more excited, he’s getting faster and stronger every training,” Fernandez said. “At the early stage of our light training, his condition looks very great too.”When asked if Pacquiao’s other commitments would affect his training, Fernandez replied: “No, Pacquiao did it before as congressman although there was a prediction that he could not focus on boxing, but he proved the critics wrong.”Pacquiao has been named coach of the PBA expansion club Kia.“Right now, Manny is busy hitting the mitts, speedball and the bags. We are also doing some running and he’s in better shape and condition,” said Fernandez, who supervises Pacquiao’s training while chief trainer Freddie Roach is in the US.
