Roach happy as Paquiao ends Baguio training

Trainer Freddie Roach is going down from the Baguio City highlands wearing a big smile on his face after seeing how Manny Pacquiao ended their training camp. The Filipino boxing sensation saved his best for last and showed everyone his old fiery form during the final day of sparring shortly before his training in the country’s summer capital ended on Thursday. The 31-year-old Pacquiao engaged reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) light-welterweight title holder Amir Khan, Michael Medina and Glen Tapia in 11 hard rounds of sparring. All three world-class boxers were rocked by the Filipino southpaw, who's slowly but surely regaining the speed and quickness that have defined his career as one of the greatest boxers. Khan and Tapia, who suffered a bloody nose after going for a few rounds with Pacquiao in Tuesday’s training, sparred with the world's top pound-for-pound fighter for four rounds each, while Medina went three. Roach, who was earlier disappointed at the way the four-week Baguio training camp had gone, was obviously satisfied with the way the final day concluded.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV "Best training day for him," said Roach after the closed-door sparring session. Nonoy Neri, one of Roach's Filipino assistants along with Buboy Fernandez, shared the iconic 50-year-old trainer's view. "Sobrang bilis ni Manny," said Neri. "At tsaka may timing na." In all, Pacquiao has already sparred 57 rounds in Manila and Baguio. Paquiao is scheduled for morning roadwork at the Rizal Memorial track oval on Friday. Later in the afternoon, it's off to the Elorde boxing gym in Quezon City, where he conducts his final workout and sparring (Saturday) before leaving for Los Angeles Saturday evening. Pacquiao is seeking a record eighth world title against Mexican banger Antonio Margarito in a 12-round bout for the World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight crown. The $1.3 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas serves as the site of the title match. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV