Pacquiao enters crucial stage of training

A six-round sparring and four rounds with the mitts ended the lighter leg of WBA regular welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao’s preparedness program on Saturday at the Elorde Boxing Gym inside the Mall of Asia compound in Pasay City.

Nine more rounds with heavy bag, double end and speed ball plus shadow-boxing completed the day’s work for the fighting senator, who starting today, will be approaching the most crucial stage of his run up for his coming encounter with undefeated WBA special titlist Keith Thurman.