Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has started to take it slow in training with less than a month to go before he returns to the ring to battle American-Mexican Brandon Rios on November 24 in Macau.
The Manila Bulletin is reporting that Pacquiao rested for two straight days and reported to the gym on Saturday afternoon in General Santos City in Southern Philippines with the slowdown in training designed to avoid a possible burnout.
"We're about to start to lessen the work load," the Manila Bulletin quoted Pacquiao's long-time cornerman Nonoy Neri, who is tasked to whipping the 34-year-old southpaw into fiery form.
Pacquiao sparred just six rounds against sparring partners Liam Vaughan and Keita Obara as his team intentionally wanted him to take it slow in training in anticipation of a highly physical match against the dangerous Rios.
Pacquiao's chief trainer Freddie Roach had earlier expressed satisfaction at the way his prized ward has conducted his training, doing away with the distractions that have long been part of his previous training camps. Training in faraway General Santos City, his hometown, Pacquiao is said to be very much focused in his preparations against Rios which could make or break the future of the only man to win titles in eight weight classes.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has signified his intentions to fight again in April next year as confirmed by his promoter Bob Arum. Eyed as possible opponents are his former sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov of Russia, archrival Juan Manuel Marquez and unbeaten Tim Bradley who scored a controversial decision over Pacquiao last year.
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