SENATOR and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s sparring partner, unbeaten Jose Ramirez (18-0, 13 KOs) said the “Fighter of the Decade” is going to be more than ready when he faces WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 5 (Nov. 6, Manila time).
After six rounds of intense sparring last Saturday at the classy “Flash” Elorde Gym inside the Mall of Asia Complex, the 5’ 10” Ramirez told the Manila Standard he has had three weeks of great sparring with Pacquiao.
And while it’s been a tough camp for Pacquiao, Ramirez said the Filipino ring icon is going to be ready.
Ramirez said they had six good rounds of sparring and training last Saturday.
“I have learned a lot the last three weeks I have been here. My speed, my distance and my angles have all benefited from training with Pacquiao over the past three weeks,” said Ramirez, who will face Puerto Rico’s 35-year-old Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (24-3, 5 KOs), for the WBC Continental Americas super lightweight title in Fresno, California on Dec. 10.
Ramirez, who will train at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym for the last five weeks said he will be ready and hopefully will get a chance to fight for a world title in the future.
Bracero is a tough opponent who just fought, and lost a 10-round points’ decision to Paulie Malinaggi.