Mexican sparmate impresses Roach

Intrigued by the presence of a former world champion from Mexico, Freddie Roach didn’t waste time in knowing if Jose Luis Castillo is up to the task of sharing the ring with Manny Pacquiao, who is revving up for a November 14 clash with Miguel Cotto.

Well, Castillo proved Roach was wrong.

Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz said Roach was impressed with Castillo’s performance.

Roach had initially balked at the idea of importing the 35-year-old Castillo after hearing reports that the ex-World Boxing Council lightweight king has rekindled his long-time association with his favorite brew.

Koncz told the Bulletin that Roach was so concerned about Castillo’s physical conditioning that he instructed Castillo to kick off the sparring session on Tuesday in place of unbeaten super-welter Shawn Porter.

Castillo, who is coming off four straight stoppage wins, stood his ground for three rounds before Porter was called in for the next four rounds of sparring.

As of Tuesday, Pacquiao has logged a total of 38 rounds of sparring, still way off the targeted 150 rounds that he wants to rack up by the time he faces Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Source: mb.com.ph