ROACH WANTS PACQUIAO TO TRAIN IN BAGUIO IN HIS NEXT FIGHT

Baguio City, yes. Manila, no.

This was how famed trainer Freddie Roach answered a query whether he would again allow Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao to establish his training camp in Baguio for his future fights.

“Baguio is very good. The weather is cold and very pleasant. It’s an ideal place for altitude training needed by any fighter to prepare for a bout,” Roach said after the world junior- welterweight wound up his five-week training stint Saturday at the Gerry Penalosa Gym in Mandaluyong City.

“The most important thing is in Baguio, there were no disturbance,” he said.

“Had it not for the typhoons that hit the city, we could have stayed there for five weeks and attain fully what we planned to accomplish,” he said, reiterating that if he will have his way and Pacquiao again decides to train here, he will recommend it.

The 49-year-old Hall of Famer added though that Manila, where Pacquiao undergone the last week of his preparation, will be his last choice, if ever the capital city will again be considered owing to what he said were distractions that, in one way or the other, affected Pacquiao’s training.

Roach was referring to a pair of workouts that were canceled because of sign of tiredness on the part of his boxer, which he attributed to his staying late at night entertaining visitors, mostly politicians and movie personalities.

“There’s just too much going on in Manila, but we were forced to be here because of the typhoons,” Roach said.

Despite the disruptions Roach assured that the preparations went well and that whatever delay incurred, the training team will make up when the group arrive in Los Angeles where Pacquiao will stay for two weeks before proceeding to Las Vegas where he will battle world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

The welterweight championship fight titled “Firepower,” is set November 14 at the MGM Grand Arena.

“I’m not really worried. He’s (Pacquiao) in great shape he just got to get his mind on track and we’ll have no problems,” said Roach hours before they left for the United States Saturday evening.

Pacquiao himself expressed satisfaction with the way his training went.

“Gumanda ang kondisyon ko. Pagkatapos ng lamig sa Baguio, init naman dito sa Maynila. Medyo nakatulong sa endurance ko,” he told GAZETTE.

Pacquiao opted not to train in Hollywood because he is nearing the limit of his maximum allowable stay, as a non-US resident, in the United States.

Under the Substantial Presence Test, Pacquiao, if he stays beyond the limit, would have to pay taxes based on his earnings worldwide.

Meantime Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles Sunday morning (Manila time) where he will undergo two more weeks of training at the Roach-owned Wild Card Gym in Hollywood starting today.

Top photo: Six-time world champion pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (R), General Santos, Philippines gets help with his gloves from chief trainer Freddie Roach (ctr) and members of Team Pacquiao at the Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood Monday during his first day of training since arriving in the United States on Saturday. Pacquiao is preparing for his upcoming "FIREPOWER" World Welterweight championship fight against three-time world champion and the pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto, Caguas, Puerto Rico. Pacquiao vs Cotto is promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions,Cotto Promotions,MGM Grand and Tecate, will take place, Saturday,November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be available live on HBO Pay Per View.

Pacquiao versus Cotto: The Firepower Mega-fight

If you are involved in real estate business, you are very much familiar with the housing adage "location, location, location." Not surprisingly, in boxing today there is a similar tune and that is "prediction, prediction, prediction." This is the most common topic in every boxing forum and every boxing website on the Internet: Who can accurately predict the outcome of the much anticipated, mega welterweight showdown between the pound for pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and the current WBO welterweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto of Puerto Rico? Boxing fans from all over the world and of course, boxing experts (analysts, promoters, trainers, journalists, etc.) have something to say about this incredible and exciting match-up between the two best ring gladiators of the Sweet Science.

Legendary boxing trainers like Angelo Dundee and Emanuel Steward predict that Cotto's skills and power will earn him a victory over the most exciting fighter in the world in Pacquiao, while Pacman's astute trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning guru Alex Ariza boldly claim that Cotto will not last against their fighter's blinding speed and vaunted power. Many popular fighters, who either currently have a championship title or have held one in the past, like Bernard Hopkins, Mike Tyson, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., agree with Roach and Ariza's assessment. Hopkins believes that Cotto's youthful face will be "busted up" in this fight; Mayweather states that Pacquiao "is a quick starter" and he leans toward the latter in this showdown; and Mike Tyson undoubtedly forecasts, "Pacquiao will win." There are countless predictions made by different, knowledgeable boxing experts for this championship duel and the fighters truly deserve all the accolades and recognitions because they amazingly stand out amongst all the fighters of today: two gallant warriors ready to face and destroy each other with their limitless arsenal of "Firepower."

On November 14th, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, we will witness a boxing classic unfolds before our very eyes, between the fighting pride of Puerto Rico, Miguel Angel Cotto and of the Philippines, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. The former (Cotto) eying to dethrone the pound for pound champion and the latter (Pacquiao) ready to defend his title as the best fighter in the planet and to cement his legacy as one of boxing greats, if not the greatest, by winning an unprecedented seventh title in seven different weight divisions. Regardless of the outcome, worldwide fans of the Sweet Science can proudly boast that they witnessed the greatest fight of all time in their generation: The Firepower Championship of Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

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Haye Gets Under Valuev’s Skin

David Haye set out to unsettle WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev as soon as their November 7 heavywieght title bout was offically announced. A few weeks on and it appears that Haye’s continual insults appear to have had the desired effect. According to the giant 7ft 2, 360lbs champion’s German promoter Kalle-Sauerland, Valuev is finally getting wound up despite his claims the Englishman’s insults had no effect on him. Speaking to Sky Sports Sauerland said: "Niko has laughed at what Haye has been saying but he didn’t like the image of Haye punching his head off a cardboard cut out of himself. "He promised me that he’s going to knock Haye out, which he doesn’t normally say about opponents. "I think Haye has got to him a little bit. I don’t think he appreciates being called some of the things Haye has said. "He(Nicolay) has lost just once in fifty one fights and fought everyone out there available, so if he is a circus act like Haye says he is, I want to go the circus," added Sauerland.

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GORRES FACES COLUMBIAN KNOCKOUT ARTIST ON NOV. 13

CEBU CITY -- Z 'The Dream' Gorres, who will headline the Nov. 13 card at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, will face Columbian knockout artist Luis Melendez, ALA President Michael Aldeguer has informed.

The 29-year-old Melendez has 30 fights to his credit winning 26, 21 by KOs, with 3 losses and 1 draw. Melendez challenged Fernando Montiel's WBO superfly title on Oct. 4, 2007 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas and lost by 12 round TKO. Melendez last fought on Sep. 9, 2009 against Rafael Salgado which he won by 3rd round TKO.

Gorres (30-2-2 19KO), who last fought and won in Tepic, Mexico on Sep. 12, 2009 against former world champion Cruz Carbajal, is now in Los Angeles training at Freddie Roach's Wildcard Gym in preparation for the fight.

The Top Rank promoted 'night before the big fight event', a prelude to the Pacquiao-Cotto superfight the following day, also features Filipino welterweight prospect Mark Jason Melligen (16-1-0 12KO) who will go against Michel Rosales (24-3-0 21KO) of Mexico and another Filipino in Federico Catubay (25-15-3 13KO) who will go up against Juan Alberto Rosas (30-5-0 25KO) of Mexico for the IBF superfly title eliminator.

Ward, Kessler React To Abraham-Taylor, Froch-Dirrell

Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward were just spectators and fans on Saturday night as their fellow Super Six World Boxing Classic competitors battled in the first stage of the groundbreaking tournament, but the two fighters have plenty of thoughts about the exciting fights.

Kessler is eager to begin the tournament and enjoyed what he saw ringside at the o2 World Arena in Berlin, Germany, but Ward, who watched the fights from his training camp in Oakland, Calif., admits that he now feels a little added pressure to represent America after his fellow countrymen Taylor and Dirrell lost in Group Stage 1.

"I think that both fights Saturday night in Berlin and Nottingham showed the great potential of the Super Six,” Kessler said. “Both Abraham-Taylor and Froch-Dirrell left no doubt why these guys are a part of the Super Six tournament - they are all great fighters. I am really looking forward to enter the tournament now!

"I enjoyed myself at the o2 World Arena with a brilliant Super Six setup, a great fight and, of course, tactical notes for my future fights against Taylor and Abraham later on in the tournament. For now though, my focus is on the fight against Ward Nov. 21. I have a great feeling about that fight and the tournament in general."

With Taylor losing by 12th round knockout and Dirrell winding up on the losing end of a split decision, Ward is the sole unbeaten American in the tournament.

“It’s unfortunate what happened to Jermain,’’ Ward said. “I thought he was fighting well through the first half of the fight. Abraham came on late and started to close the show. I think the punch he got hit with was a technical mistake. I think he thought Abraham was coming with a looping right hand, the kind of right hand that Abraham was throwing all night. This time he brought it down the middle and Jermain squeezed his gloves together and closed his eyes so he didn’t see it. Nevertheless, it was a great win for Abraham to start off the tournament and the Super Six and I congratulate him. I’m happy that Jermain is up and doing well and happy he’s doing better.

“I felt like Dirrell definitely won the fight and I felt like he deserved the nod. This fight is definitely going to take Dirrell to another level because he knows he can compete at the highest level. I definitely feel like I’m back in Greece all over again and even though the Americans fought well, unfortunately we were unable to get a victory in the first two fights. I’m definitely inspired to bring America their first victory in the Super Six tournament.’’

Kessler feels the added pressure now that his fellow Europeans have earned points in Group Stage 1.

"Of course I feel the pressure, now that Abraham and Froch have won their fights - but with a 43-fight record - I know all about pressure - you learn to live with it,” Kessler said. “The Ward fight is not different from any other fight at this level. I have my routines, and I know exactly how to deal with pressure. But, of course, a 3-0 European lead would make a statement on the global boxing scene."

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Typhoon may force Pacquiao to flee Baguio

American trainer Freddie Roach reported from Baguio City that boxing idol Manny Pacquiao is about 75 percent ready for his Nov. 14 showdown with Miguel Cotto after completing a third of his required 160 sparring rounds.

“No worries as far as his conditioning is concerned,” said Roach as he was awaiting word if they will uproot their training camp later in the day in anticipation of heavy rains and howling winds with the arrival of a new typhoon in Northern Luzon.

“We just can’t jeopardize Manny’s training so we might just go down to Manila and resume training there,” said Roach, who will fly to Los Angeles this Saturday for the most crucial stage of preparation beginning next Monday (Oct. 26) at the Wild Card in Hollywood.

Pacquiao had initially wanted to train in Baguio right until the day he was scheduled to leave for the US and then made a slight alteration when his handlers disclosed that they will instead leave for Manila on Thursday afternoon.

But owing to the devastation that the new storm is threatening to leave, Pacquiao is seriously considering an early departure for Manila so it would much easier for them to go to the airport.

If indeed Team Pacquiao heads for Manila way ahead of schedule, Roach said the ultra-important sparring sessions would resume Tuesday with three rounds each against Shawn Porter, Jose Luis Castillo and possibly against either Urbano Antillon or Danny Escobar.

“On Tuesday, it’ll be nine rounds total and nine again on Thursday and 10 rounds on Saturday before we leave for the US,” said Roach, who has been camping out in Baguio since Sept. 21 presiding over Pacquiao’s preparation with the help of conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Pacquiao will train at the Wild Card from Oct. 26 until Nov. 9, the day Team Pacquiao will roll on to Sin City.

Meanwhile, Kenny Bayless has been appointed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to referee the Pacquiao-Cotto 12-round welterweight title match. Also picked to score the fight are Duane Ford, Dave Moretti and Adalaide Byrd. All are from Nevada.

Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Debuts Oct. 24

Number 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world Manny Pacquiao will be making his third appearance in the HBO documentary series “24/7”. The Emmy Award-winning series will feature the preparations leading to the “Pacquiao vs Cotto” match this coming November 14 at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Nevada.

The new four-episode series will debut in the US on October 24 with the remaining episodes on October 31, November 7 and the final episode will air on the eve of the fight, November 13.

“The ‘24/7' franchise provides an engaging and accurate look into the lives of boxers as they toil and sacrifice to get ready for a huge showdown in the ring,” Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports.

“Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are dynamic individuals in and out of the ring, and our cameras will be there to capture all the drama prior to their fall face-off,” he added.

Manny Pacquiao was first featured in the 24/7 series when he was preparing to fight boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya whom he defeated last December 2008. His second was with Ricky Hatton whom he knocked out last May in just 2 rounds.

More on Pacquiao-Castillo

Proving that last week’s bad weather was never an issue in training camp, Manny Pacquiao dominated his sparring partners Tuesday at the Shape-Up Gym in Cooyesan Hotel in Baguio City. Pacquiao sparred with highly touted former two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico for three rounds. Pacquiao is preparing for his upcoming world welterweight with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto set for 12-rounds at a catch weight of 145lbs scheduled on November 14 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his anticipated sparring with Castillo, Pacquiao used his vastly improved lateral movements in trying to avoid the Mexican’s uppercuts and body shots. Pacquiao stalled Castillo’s aggressive attacks with three to five punch combos and counter left straights.

The 35-year-old Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KOs) ended his first day of sparring with specks of blood in his left nostril.

“I can’t see his left. It’s very fast and strong. I think that will be a big problem of Cotto,” Castillo told Fightnews after the work out.

Chief trainer Freddie Roach, who at first seemed cautious when it comes to having Castillo as a sparring partner now expressed his contentment in having the Mexican inside the gym.

“Castillo looked to be off a little bit and he’s never sparred as fast as anyone like Manny. But I like his movement because he moves similar to Cotto. Overall it was a great workout and I was very happy,” said Roach.

In sparring with Porter, Pacquiao again worked on his footwork and stiff combinations while moving out of harm’s way.

“That will one of Manny’s best assets. His ability to throw strong punches while moving out of the ropes,” said two-time world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa who now works as one of Pacquiao’s assistant trainers.

Meanwhile Roach denied reports circulating on the internet that Pacquiao was knocked down in one sparring session last week.

Roach said no one has come close to flooring Pacquiao in any of their sparring sessions in their Baguio training camp.

Last weekend internet forums were deluged with queries and reports that Pacquiao got tagged by American sparring partner Shawn Porter.

“That’s a lie. I would know because I would have to pay. He’s getting hit but he’s never been floored ever. Not in eight years. The money is still in my pocket,” said Roach.

Roach has promised $1,000 for anyone among the sparring partners who could put down Pacquiao during sparring.

Pacquiao training in full tilt as Castillo sparring begins!

Read on for the latest news from Camp Pacquiao as ‘The Pacman’ is hard at work in Baguio City, Philippines for his Nov. 14 super fight with Miguel Cotto!



It’s full speed ahead for Manny Pacquiao in his Philippines based training camp. Two weeks into the sparring phase of training, the pound-for-pound king has over 31 rounds under his belt. Thus far Pacquiao has been sparring with highly regarded Mexican upstart Urbano Antillon and undefeated junior middleweight prospect Shawn Porter. Things will no doubt intensify this week as Pacquiao is set to begin sparring with former world champion Jose Luis Castillo. Castillo is now on location in Baguio City and he will engage Pacquiao for the first time Tuesday when the two are set to spar for several rounds. Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon have been giving Pacquiao some tough work, as head trainer Freddie Roach has an open offer of $1000 cash to anyone who can drop ‘The Pacman’ in their sparring sessions. So far the task has proved to be a daunting one.

“He dominated both guys last week,” Roach told Filipino media outlet Philstar.com after putting Pacquiao through his paces in the swimming pool (a substitution for road work last week as the weather in Baguio City continues to be tumultuous).

With the arrival of Castillo, Roach expects Pacquiao to benefit from being hit by a big strong world class opponent.

“I believe he is weighing around 160 right now,” Roach said of Castillo. “According to him, he has a fight scheduled next month, so he must be in good shape.”

With over thirty rounds of sparring under their belt, Roach intends to have Pacquiao up to 150 rounds by the end of their sparring phase of training.

Pacquiao opened camp in the secluded confines of Baguio City in late September as American tax laws prevented the Filipino champion from operating for too many accumulative days on US soil. As a result, Pacquiao decided to begin training in the boxing crazed Philippines before moving his camp to Los Angeles on Oct. 24. That puts him back in the Pacific time zone three weeks prior to his November 14 super fight with Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao’s road work had been going well in the high altitude surroundings north of Manila, but devastating storms have hampered his outdoor training and have wreaked havoc on the Philippines as a whole.

A deadly Typhoon and several storms have triggered dozens of landslides and killed nearly 500 people nation wide. Despite being hard at work for the biggest fight of his life, Pacquiao halted his camp in early October to distribute food and supplies to the hundreds of people who have been affected by the country’s worst flooding in 40 years.

The distractions aren’t anything new Pacquiao, who’s fame in his home country is unparalleled around the world. Weather it’s politics, entertainment, family, or natural disaster… the hardest working man in boxing keeps moving forward as his biggest fight always seems to lay right around the corner. This time it comes in the form of Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14, and based on his intense training regime, it is not something Pacquiao is taking lightly.

Cotto's Trainer Says Sparring is Key To Beat Pacquiao

Miguel Cotto's training camp is pushing him to the limit at Fight Factory in Tampa, Florida. Cotto defends his WBO welterweight title against Manny Pacquiao on November 14 in Las Vegas. Trainer Joe Santiago says the camp is going well without any problems.

"It has all gone very well here. Thank God everything has gone smoothly. Miguel is very good, happy and in good spirits, which is important," said Santiago. "We have covered all of the objectives that were outlined in these first three weeks."

"Everything is running more or less the same [as the Joshua Clottey camp]. The only thing different is the strategic plan we are working on now. We are dealing with a southpaw boxer, with great hand speed, and for that we are preparing."

The camp is made up of traditional morning runs and fitness, along with technical work in the evenings. Sparring takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with floor exercises on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and using Sunday as a day off.

While Pacquiao's sparring partners are well known, Santiago refused to disclose the names of Cotto's sparring partners. It is known that junior welterweight Frankie Figueroa has worked done work with Cotto in camp. Santiago says the right kind of sparring is the key to victory.

"That's the key, the sparring. That's as close as you can get to the fight. That's where you can develop the strategy for fighting," Santiago said.

Jose Luis Castillo's arrival serves multiple purposes for Team Pacquiao

Team Pacquiao has tapped welterweight veteran boxer Jose Luis "El Temible" Castillo who has a record of 60 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw with 52 knockouts to help Manny Pacquiao in his preparations against Miguel Cotto.

Those looking to find some use from Michael Koncz should take note that it was Koncz who brought in Castillo after receiving guarantees that the Mexican warrior is in shape. The 35-year old Castillo is coming from a 2 round TKO victory last September and is on the comeback trail going 4-0 in 2009 with all his victories coming by way of knockout or TKO.

This is good news for Team Pacquiao and bad news for Miguel Cotto as Castillo will definitely be able to emulate Cotto and display his veteran boxing skills and craftiness during sparring sessions against Pacquiao which definitely helps tremendously. Castillo is big and strong too and has fought the best of the best with victories over Joel Casamayor, Diego Corrales and Juli Diaz.

Castillo is best known for his classic wars with the late Corrales in 2005 whom he knocked out the second time they fought. Castillo also fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2002 twice losing on both occasions by unanimous decision. Castillo definitely gave Floyd fits and I actually had him winning the first fight as he gave Floyd the toughest fight of his career in my opinion.

Perhaps the arrival of Castillo as Pacquiao's sparring partner will be beneficial to the Filipino slugger in more ways than one. Not only will he prep up and push the Pac Man in sparring and get him accustomed to the stalking style Cotto will probably try to do against Manny, he will also be able to share his pointers on how to beat Mayweather's style. Castillo throws combinations similar to Cotto and is very savvy. He is also bigger and moves kind of similar to Cotto in the sense that Manny can definitely hit both of them. I won't say he is a Cotto clone, but the looks that he will give Manny will really help out.

It's like killing two birds with one stone. Not only will Pacquiao get help in preparations against Cotto but in case he does clash with Mayweather in the dream fight all fight fans have been yearning for, he will have great tips and pointers from a man whom a lot of people think actually beat Mayweather before. As of now however, all eyes are on Cotto. Bringing in Castillo is definitely a good move by Team Pacquiao and should pay dividends.

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PACQUIAO NO. 24 ON ASKMEN.COM'S TOP 49 MOST INFLUENTIAL MEN

Filipino ring hero Manny Pacquiao landed No. 24 on AskMen.com's Top 49 Most Infuential Men of 2009, the world's largest lifestyle portal for men with more than 11 million visitors monthly, revealed today from its headquarters in Los Angeles, CA.

Pacquiao garnered an overall score of 82.1 from the online voting among more than a hundred nominees which the lifestyle portal commissioned last August.

In a statement, Pacquiao told the online magazine, "I am humbled and honored to have been selected as one of 2009's Top 49 Most Influential Men. It's incredible to be included among such an esteemed list."

The list assembles a diverse collection of men from around the world and from a variety of industries including entertainment, politics, technology, and sports. All the honorees had a direct effect on the way men see the world, and notably in 2009, many reflect classic values that are most meaningful to the male identity today.

Topping the list for this year's edition with a score of 91.1 is Don Draper, a fictional character on AMC's television series 'Mad Men'. Multi-titled Olympic medalist Usain Bolt came in second and US President Barack Obama is third.

Pacquiao continues to reap accolades after his rise in the boxing world where he has now become a certified cross-over star recognizable all over world. Earlier this year, Pacquiao also landed on Time Magazine's 2009 TIME 100 and won the ESPY's Fighter of the Year.

Below is the complete list of this year's AskMen.com's Top 49 Most Influential Men:

1. Don Draper
2. Usain Bolt
3. Barack Obama
4. Mark Zuckerberg
5. Simon Cowell
6. Michael Jackson
7. Steve Jobs
8. Roger Federer
9. Peyton Manning
10. Dana White
11. Jay-Z
12. Tom Ford
13. Jon Stewart
14. Jack Dorsey
15. Quentin Tarantino
16. Conan O'Brien
17. Ashton Kutcher
18. Gary Vaynerchuk
19. Ryan Seacrest
20. George Clooney
21. Brad Pitt
22. Lionel Messi
23. Chesley Sullenberger
24. Manny Pacquaio
25. Mark Ronson
26. Kanye West
27. Seth MacFarlane
28. Cristiano Ronaldo
29. Harvey Levin
30. Tiger Woods
31. Shepard Smith
32. Hugh Jackman
33. Kobe Bryant
34. Sidney Crosby
35. Andy Roddick
36. Georges St. Pierre
37. Chris Martin
38. Bear Grylls
39. James Cameron
40. Jeff Bezos
41. Andre Balazs
42. LeBron James
43. Dwyane Wade
44. Robert Pattinson
45. Italo Zucchelli
46. Mario Batali
47. Santiago Calatrava
48. Jenson Button
49. Lance Armstrong

Pacman takes hard shots from sparmates

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao sparred six rounds yesterday and again took some hard shots as he tried to squeeze the best from his sparring partners, Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon, at the Shape Up Gym in Baguio City.

“He took some real hard shots but overall it was a good workout,” said Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach, over the phone on his way back to the Manor Hotel where he’s staying for the duration of the training.

“It was pretty good,” said the American trainer, adding that the number of rounds in sparring should move up by Saturday. He said they plan to do another six rounds on Thursday while they await a new sparring partner.

Former WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo, who figured in two brutal bouts with the late Diego Corrales in 2005 (the first one, won by Corrales, being chosen Fight of the Year), is scheduled to arrive Thursday.

“If he does, then he spars with Manny on Saturday,” said Roach of the 36-year-old Castillo, who lost two close decisions to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2002. Many thought that Castillo, a veteran of 70 fights, won the first one.

After four days of sparring, Pacquiao has logged a total of 18 rounds, the most difficult of which are those with Porter, a junior-middleweight who looks like he’s out to knock Pacquiao out.

Roach has dangled $1,000 to anyone among the sparring partners who could send Pacquiao to the canvas.

The 21-year-old Porter, with more than 200 fights as an amateur and unbeaten in 10 fights as a pro, has forced Pacquiao to keep his hands up in training, having hurt the reigning pound-for-pound champion a couple of times since last week.

Still, the 2007 National Golden Gloves champion is in awe, adding that Pacquiao, with both his power and speed, should have the upperhand when he faces Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight crown on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

“I think Manny’s speed, quickness and power and all that would take care of the whole match for him. He’s quick. He’s very quick,” said Porter, who also excelled as a college football player.

“One of the best workouts I’ve ever had. I know he’s the best of the best, and he’ll shock the world again I think,” added Porter.

Roach said Pacquiao will close out his training in Baguio on Oct. 24 and in the evening of the same day, a Saturday, they travel to Los Angeles, rest the following day and resume training at the Wild Card Gym on Monday.

They will spend two more weeks in LA as they wrap up the sparring and begin to taper off, and should be in Las Vegas on the Monday of fight week.

Notes: The latest Nike commercial featuring Pinoy icon Manny Pacquiao, along with some of the great athletes in the world today, is out. The commercial, shot in the United States a couple of months ago, features Pacquiao along with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, tennis champions Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, soccer star Christiano Ronaldo and 110-m hurdles world record holder Xiang Liu. In the 60-second commercial, each athlete is shown in training and in actual competition, with Pacquiao pounding the roads of Los Angeles, hitting the mitts at the gym and knocking out an opponent on the ring. It’s not the first time Pacquiao has starred in a Nike commercial with the world’s best, and certainly it won’t be the last.