Pacquiao in homestretch of training for Hatton bout

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao was in a lighthearted mood Tuesday when he entered the final phase of his sparring at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles, California. And for someone who knows him for so long, that means just one thing – the “Pacman" is all set and ready against Ricky “The Hitman" Hatton. “We have a good day (Tuesday). He boxed very well when he wants to, he played level when he wants to, he’s having fun," said trainer Freddie Roach. “He’s nice and loose. I know he’s ready." Pacquiao reported at the gym an hour earlier than his regular sparring schedule to make time for his trip to San Francisco for the ceremonial pitch in the San Francisco Giants-San Diego Padres Major League Baseball game. Once he arrived it was all business for the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter. The 30-year old Filipino ring icon sparred for eight rounds, four each against regular sparmate Urbano Antilon and unbeaten super-featherweight Alisher Rahimov. Pacquiao got his own share during the intense sparring, at one time allowing himself to be cornered at the ropes by both Antilon and Rahimov. But once he switched the “on" button, there’s nothing the two sparmates could do. “C’mon let’s go," Pacquiao hollered to the 31-year old Rahimov, a stocky Uzbek in the mold of Hatton, as he battered the Filipino southpaw on the corner ropes with crunchy body shots. Pacquiao however, got back at him, unleashing a lethal 1-2 combination that wobbled the knees of Rahimov just as the sparring was about to end. “Nice job," said Roach as Pacquiao went to his corner amidst a round of applause from a small crowd that included Top Rank Promotions big boss Bob Arum. “He’s (Pacquiao) very quick, very powerful," said Rahimov through interpreter Vatim Kornilov, vice-president of German Titov Promotions, the biggest boxing promotion in Russia. Rahimov is unbeaten in 18 pro fights, 11 of them coming by way of knockout. He saw action in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and remembered very well Filipino amateur boxer Danilo Lerio. He didn’t fight Lerio, though, but the two belonged in the same weight category (bantamweight). “My little Russian is a tough guy, too," said Roach of Rahimov, who sparred with Pacquiao for two rounds previously. “But Manny’s too much for these guys right now." Two more sparring sessions are scheduled on Thursday and Saturday. Sunday is rest day for the four-time world champion before Team Pacquiao heads to Las Vegas on Monday. – GMANews.TV