Pacquiao vs. Mayweather (Photo : REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson )
Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao appears to have a counter-punch to Floyd Mayweather's stash of high-caliber sparring partners, as Philippine-based news agency GMA News reported that the Pacman is currently sparring with reigning WBO/WBA Super Bantamweight king Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Entering third week of training leading up to his Fight of the Century clash with Money Mayweather, the Pacman has already kicked off his sparring sessions under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Aware of Mayweather's top-notch defense, Roach brought in several fighters that mimic the American's shoulder-roll defense. Moreover, he also mentioned of another sparring partner that was previously part of Mayweather's boxing stable. However, none of them are more accomplished than Rigondeaux, who is considered one of the finest defensive fighter next to Mayweather.
Rigondeaux, two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, has reportedly mixed it up with Pacquiao in a sparring match at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, according to an insider in Pacquiao's training camp.
"The GMA News source claimed unified WBA/WBO 122-pound champion Guillermo Rigondeaux has been sparring with Pacquiao at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, under the watchful eyes of Freddie Roach -- who trains Pacquiao now and has worked with Rigondeaux in the past," via CBS Sports.
However, ESPN boxing writer Dan Rafael reported on his Monday's blog entry that the rumors of Rigondeaux's presence in Pacquiao's camp is not true, per statement by Roach. According to Pacman's trainer, sparring with Rigondeaux would not make sense at all since the Cuban is 20 pounds lighter than Mayweather and also a southpaw.
"One of the big Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight rumors to spread like crazy on social media in recent days, based on unsubstantiated reports, was that Pacquiao would be sparring with junior featherweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux to get ready for the fight. It is not true, according to trainer Freddie Roach," Rafael stated.
