Sources told GMA News Online that unbeaten world super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux has been tapped to spar with Pacquiao in preparation for his long-awaited showdown against Mayweather on May 2.
One source said that Pacquiao and Rigondeaux have already started to spar with each other at the famed Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles this past week. Pacquiao was said to not have worn a headgear during the sparring session while Guillermo was equipped with full boxing gears.
A pugilist who possesses excellent speed, power, footwork and boxing skills, the 34-year-old Cuban is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a three-time amateur boxing World Cup gold medalist.
He has a perfect record of 15-0 with 10 knockouts and holds a dominant victory over Nonito Donaire in 2013.
Perhaps more importantly, Rigondeaux possesses the quick reflexes and defensive style that could help Pacquiao get an idea of how it would be to face Mayweather inside the ring.
Rigondeaux had previously trained under Roach, drawing high praise from the Hall of Fame trainer.
GMA News Online got in touch with Rigondeaux's manager Gary Hyde to confirm the report but he respectfully declined to comment on the matter. —JST, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
