Pacquiao back to ‘normal’

Manny Pacquiao has reverted back to his old ways.

Despite the punishing effects of jet lag, Pacquiao still managed to give trainer Freddie Roach a reason to smile when the Filipino kicked off his sparring session on US soil on Wednesday at the Wild Card in Hollywood, less than three weeks before the November 14 duel with Miguel Cotto.

Sparring 10 full rounds with unbeaten super-welterweight Shawn Porter and super-feather Ray Beltran and one guy Porter handpicked to help, Pacquiao didn’t resort to things that made Roach cringe the last time he worked out in Manila over the weekend.

“It’s back to normal,” said Roach on the phone from the sweat shop located on Vine Street. “I was surprised that he looked good today despite the jet lag. There was no more playing around this time.”

Pacquiao, Roach noted, did four rounds with Porter then had three apiece with Beltran and the unidentified fellow who subbed for original choice Raymond Serrano.

“He had a lot more focus today than the last time (in Manila),” added Roach.

Roach said another former sparmate, super-welter Rashad Holloway, will likely be called in to replace Serrano as Pacquiao hikes the number of rounds to 11 on Thursday and as much as 12 on Saturday before he begins to slow down next week.

Roach expects Pacquiao’s showing to improve even more in the coming days now that they are training under familiar conditions.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao and Roach are hosting a teleconference call this Thursday to give the media a deeper look into their training camp.