Pacquiao's fight strategy vs Mayweather potentially taking shape

Filipino Manny Pacquiao's (51-3-2) anticipated training regimen appears to be initially taking shape even as negotiation talks with undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr (41-0) are still ongoing between Pacquiao's representative Top Rank Boxing and Mayweather's representative Golden Boy Promotions.

The Filipino's conditioning coach Alex Ariza disclosed that the training team will likely bulk up the WBO welterweight champion to junior middleweight range, specifically at 153 lbs for his proposed showdown with the undefeated American, in a discussion this week with Reuters.

Pacquiao's previous highest weights were 144+ lbs in his fight against Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto (34-2) last November (Pacquiao won by 12th round TKO), and 142 lbs against Oscar de la Hoya in December 2008 (Pacquiao won by 8th round stoppage).

A 153 lb. weight level represents 9 lbs above Pacquiao's previous maximum weigh-in level. Ariza added that he would like to reduce Pacquiao's weight back to the 147 lb. welterweight limit just a few days before the tentative Friday, November 12 weigh-in (presumably) against Mayweather.

At his heaviest, the lightning quick and slick Mayweather, who stands at 5'8" with a 72" reach advantage, weighed in at 150 lbs against Oscar de la Hoya in May 2007 in a junior middleweight title bout. Mayweather won by a 12th round split decision over the now-retired Golden Boy. He could have weighed in at the 154 lb. weight limit but came in 4 lbs. below that maximum allowable weight.

Examiner.com (Michael Marley) reports that trainer Freddie Roach is considering setting up training camp in Baguio City or Cebu City (Marv Dumon's hometown) in the Philippines, preferring the latter.

Camp could be set up as early as August according to Roach, after Pacquiao takes his June 30 oath as representative to the lower House in the Philippine Congress.