As far as the weight issue is concerned, the camp of reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is very confident of meeting the 144-pound catch weight requirement on his fight date in Macau, China.
Pacquiao’s long time adviser Mike Koncz, who left the country Saturday afternoon for Macau, said the weight of Pacquiao (56-5-2 win-loss-draw log with 38 knockouts) is already around 140 to 144 lbs and there’s no any issue about it.
“Pacquiao’s trainers made a wonderful job so far. I like what I saw [in training],” Koncz told The Manila Times on Saturday in a phone interview. “If you’ll ask the weight, there’s no any issue about it. In fact, we’re planning to go down to 140 lbs for his next bout.”
Pacquiao, 35, who scored a unanimous decision win over American Timothy Bradley in April, will collide with unbeaten American Chris Algieri (20-0 record with eight knockouts) on November 23 at the Cotai Arena in Venetian Hotel.
“I’m confident that we will see a knockout win on November 23,” he added.
Pacquiao’s assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez also confirmed that the eight-division world titleholder has no any problem with his current weight.
“He is ready to go as what I said before and there’s no problem with his weight. He’ll make it at the catch weight,” said Fernandez, who finished this week’s training camp in General Santos before flying to Macau on Monday afternoon with Pacquiao and the rest of the team.
“Manny is at 142 to 144 lbs now and he’s in best fighting shape,” added Fernandez. “His blinding speed and power have improved a lot, so there’ll be no problem.”
Pacquiao had sparring sessions against taller fighters—Viktor Postol and Stan Martynouk —on Saturday.
He also did some roadworks to strengthen his endurance and stamina.