Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao gets richer by at least $1,000 every time he knocks down his sparring partner during his sparring sessions in preparation for his fourth encounter with Mexican counter puncher Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, offers Pacquiao the prize money every time the Filipino fighter knocks down his sparring partner.
In one of his sparring sessions with welterweight fighter Frankie Gomez at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood last Thursday, Pacquiao pocketed Roach's cash offer after knocking down the young unbeaten Mexican-American welterweight boxer.
Gomez, who is an inch-and-a-half taller than Pacquiao and with a reach of 74 inches, has 13 professional fights to his credit without a single loss. Nine out of his 13 fights were won via KO. Gomez, who is also known as" Pitbull," is only 20 years old with a 120-8 amateur record.
Roach's dangling of the $1,000 cash may not entice Pacquiao to knock down his sparring partner as he is used to getting paid in the neighborhood of $20-25 million per fight.
Also, Pacquiao is known for holding back on his sparring partners even when an opportunity comes during sparring session. Pacquiao and his past sparring partners usually end up as good friends.
Pacquiao's KO over Gomez last Thursday could be his way of testing if indeed he still have the power to do the same to Marquez.
Pacquiao wanted the KO news under wraps but a member of his team could have unintentionally leaked the news to a media outlet.
Meanwhile, reports on the progress of Marquez training at the Romanza Gym of Mexico indicate that the Mexican counter-puncher has put on extra muscle, which could make him slower come fight night.
In the most recent Pacquiao-Marquez conference call (h/t philboxing.com), Roach said "Our strategy for this fight is to be more aggressive. Develop strength more and focus on speed. I am not worried about his strength."
“I don’t think muscle-men have a better chin. If anything, I think if you put a lot of muscle he will be a little slower than he used to be and we are going to take advantage of that."
Last Thursday's unexpected KO of Gomez happened on a routine sparring session at the gym, but members of Team Pacquiao, including Roach and assistant trainers Buboy Fernandez, Nonoy Neri, Roger “Haplas” Fernandez and Marvin Somodio were surprised but happy to see their fighter in top fighting form (h/t philboxing.com).
Pacquiao and Marquez will clash on Saturday, December 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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