MAKATI CITY ? Australian boxer George Kambosos, Jr. was fascinated by the power and speed of world eight-division boxing champion and current World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight king Manny Pacquiao.
Kambosos, 23, arrived in Manila Friday night with Michael Koncz, Pacquiao?s Canadian adviser.
Kambosos, who stands at 5?9 ?, hailed from Sydney, Australia, and was undefeated in 12 professional fights.
?It?s a big honor on my part to be a sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao who is a legend in the sport of boxing,? Kambosos said shortly after his first sparring session with the Filipino ring icon.
Kambosos, a Lightweight, noted that Pacquiao has an edge compared to Jeff Horn in terms of speed and experience.
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao (R) spars with Australian George Kambosos, Jr. Saturday at the Elorde Gym in Pasay City. Photos by Wendell Alinea / OSMP.
Pacquiao will make his first title defense of the WBO Welterweight crown which he wrested from American-Mexican boxer Jessie Vargas during their fight in November last year in Las Vegas.
?Manny Pacquiao is a lot more experienced as a fighter, he?s so fast and his fighting style is unpredictable. But I expect Horn to also be at his best come fight night,? Kambosos added.
Koncz told reporters that Team Pacquiao employed the services of Kambosos because of his ability to mimic Horn?s fighting style.
?He fights like Jeff Horn so we hired him as sparring mate of Manny Pacquiao,? Koncz bared.
Pacquiao sparred nine rounds with three different boxers on Saturday afternoon.
The Filipino boxing idol traded punches for two rounds against fellow Filipino boxer Leonardo Doronio, three rounds versus Kambosos and four rounds against Adrian Young, a promising Lightweight prospect from Sinaloa, Mexico.
Pacquiao will travel back on Sunday morning to his home city where he plans to spend the remaining days of his training camp.
Team Pacquiao is tentatively set to fly out to Australia on June 24, or barely a week before his scheduled title fight.
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