MANILA, Philippines -- With Manny Pacquiao looking to return to his former self that saw him win eight titles over as many divisions, trainer Robert Garcia said Brandon Rios will be ready for the "scary" Filipino superstar.
"We're training for the Pacquiao that has done everything. The Pacquiao that is so fast, and so powerful, and who has knocked everybody out. We're preparing for the Pacquiao that's scary," Garcia said in an interview with RingTV.com in Las Vegas.
The trainer revealed that Rios is working on his speed for the November 24 bout.
"We don't like to publicize what's going on in training, but I'm so impressed. Brandon's been knocking our sparring partners out. He's doing a good job, looking so strong and so fast, and we've still got six weeks before the fight," said Garcia.
Rios recently lost his last fight at 140 pounds against Mike Alvarado in May but Garcia was quick to point out that Rios is going to be faster fighting as a first-time welterweight.
"Brandon's going to fight at welterweight, so he doesn't have to kill himself to make weight. He's strong and he's walking around 10, 12 pounds over the weight," he said.
"But at six weeks before the fight that's no problem. Brandon's going to be faster," warned Garcia.
The trainer also admitted that even though the Filipino is not the same Pacquiao his team faced when he was in Antonio Margarito's corner in 2010, Rios still needs to be wary of the threat.
Pacquiao won that fight against Margarito by a unanimous decision but has since suffered back-to-back losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez.
"I don't see the same Pacquiao of five years ago. I know that a lot of people will agree with me, but we still need to prepare for that scary Pacquiao," he said.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
