After watching Manny Pacquiao spar for 12 rounds on Saturday, Buboy Fernandez vainly tried to look nonchalant.

As head trainer, Fernandez doesn’t want Pacquiao to know that he was delighted with how the 8-division world champion performed at the peak of his training for his World Boxing Association welterweight title challenge against Argentine Lucas Matthysse on July 15.

Truth was, Pacquiao exceeded Fernandez’s expectations when he handled 3 sparring partners in different ways at his Wild Card Gym in General Santos City.

Pacquiao showed stamina and power in dealing with sparring partners Arnel Tinampay, Jheritz Chavez and Australian fighter George Kambosos Jr. for 4 rounds each as he kicked his preparations up a gear in his quest for an 11th world title at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

"We are right on track. We have two weeks more to go and Manny is ready. We don't want him to peak too soon," said Fernandez, who is in charge of Pacquiao’s training for the first time.

On Friday, Pacquiao returned to conquer the steepest hills of Sarangani, passing the endurance test.

Understandably, Pacquiao started slow in the first 2 rounds against Tinampay before gaining momentum in Rounds 3 and 4. From the fifth to the eighth rounds, he stood toe-to-toe with the bigger Chavez and had to switch strategy again against the lighter, quicker Kambosos.

Pacquiao matched Kambosos’ movements in the ninth and 10th, and gained the edge in ring tactics in the last 2 rounds.

Though they’ve seen Pacquiao perform countless times in the ring, Fernandez and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune couldn’t help but admire his resilience.

They just have to temper his progress so that Pacquiao will be at his optimum best on fight night.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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