By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza can’t seem to run out of superlatives to describe how Manny Pacquiao is doing in preparation for his “Fire Power” showdown with World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Nov. 14.

Pacquiao sparred 12 furious rounds at Roach’s Wild Card Gym on Friday (Manila Time), going five rounds with undefeated 22-year-old light middleweight Shawn Porter (10-0, 8 KOs), four rounds with former sparring partner Rashad Holloway, a welterweight with an 11-1-1, 5 KO record and three rounds with another former sparring partner, super featherweight Raymund Beltran (22-4, 14 KOs).

“When the 10th round came, Freddie just smiled at me and said ‘Look, it’s 10 rounds and Manny is not even breathing hard, despite the rigorous workout,’” said Ariza. “Manny was phenomenal today. We, Freddie and I are both excited about this. He makes us a feel good because that’s the Manny that we know and love to watch.”

Asked what was so spectacular about Pacquiao’s sparring, Ariza replied “he was just on point again. His timing is there. He knows when the punches are coming. He’s slipping, he’s moving and hitting the guy when he wants to hit him. He looked really good.”

Ariza disclosed it wasn’t a closed-door sparring session. “There was a bit of a crowd there, including an HBO TV crew that was reportedly impressed with what they saw. Pacquiao was smiling and felt good about his sparring. Freddie felt good and we are all happy.”

Meanwhile, the International Boxing Organization has given pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao a deadline to decide on whether he will defend the junior welterweight title or relinquish it.

IBO president Ed Levine informed www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that beginning Nov. 15, Pacquiao will have 60 days to decide whether he’ll defend or relinquish his championship, which Pacquiao won with a second-round knockout of Britain’s Ricky Hatton last May 2 in Las Vegas.

In his official statement Levine said: “Manny Pacquiao was notified that he will be given time to decide whether to defend his championship at 140 pounds or vacate the title. He is still well within his time requirements to make a title defense in the weight class. So, we’ll allow him a chance to decide and notify us.” read more