Congressman turned now Senator Pacquiao is coming into this weekend’s world title fight with more commitments on his time than any other fight in his professional career.
There is a school of thought that the now Senator Pacquiao has taken on too much work ahead of this weekend, given his now advanced years in the ring.
37 year old Pacquiao (58-6-2-38KO) will turn 38 years old this December and no matter how good an athlete he is, training part-time for a world title fight is not advisable in any circumstances.
His promoter Bob Arum noted as much during the week when he expressed concerns about his fighter’s less than full preparation.
However, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach who knows Pacquiao better than anyone has been speaking confidently about how his charge looks in recent interviews. At least from what I’ve picked up on.
Pacquiao himself enthused in a Top Rank short feature called ‘All In’ that:
“I can still feel the speed, the stamina and the power. I don’t feel old. I’m still good. I feel like I’m young.”
27 year old WBO 147lbs champion Jessie Vargas (27-1-10KO) will come into this weekend’s fight in the prime of his career.
He’ll also enjoy a four inch reach advantage over his older foe. Time will tell if youth proves to be a bonus in his favor.
For the full ‘All In’ segment – check it out here via the folks at the Top Rank YouTube channel (hat tip):
