Team Pacquiao to send sparring partner home

Chances are, Bryan Brooks won’t be back as sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao. Having seen the boxer got beaten up by the world’s pound-for-pound king in his first day of sparring session for his world title fight against Joshua Clottey, trainer Freddie Roach said he doesn’t see Brooks returning for more sessions with the Filipino at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

“I don’t think I’m going to bring him (Brooks) back. He got hurt a few times. Manny was too much for him," said Roach.

Brooks once served as sparring partner of reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Shane Mosley, but has a lackluster career as a pro with a 0-6 record.

The former light-middleweight, however, was obviously a bit bigger than Pacquiao and has a solid built just like Clottey.

Although up against a non-quality fighter, Roach said it’s a good way for Pacquiao to start and get his rhythm in training camp.

“He did whatever he wanted to do. He was playing with him a little bit. He likes to play with his audience a little bit. Overall, it was a great day," assessed Roach.

Pacquiao said the first week of training has been so far so good.

“Training is good. Right now, I have pretty good movement. I am throwing good combinations and will definitely be ready on March 13," he said.

The Filipino will be staking his World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-pound belt in the 12-round fight to be held at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Clottey (35-3, with 20 KOs) is coming in as a last-minute replacement following the aborted super-fight between Pacquiao and unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.

But Pacquiao said he’s definitely not looking past the 32-year-old challenger from Ghana.

“Clottey is tough. He can punch and he’s definitely very strong," said the General Santos City native.

Source: Author Unknown  | GMANews.TV