Stan Martyniouk, one Manny Pacquiao's sparring partners, is confident that the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion will successfully defend his title against Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 in Macau, China.
Martyniouk said in an interview with Rappler that Pacquiao looked very good in their first sparring session. And based from what he saw from Pacquiao, he is convinced that the Filipino boxing icon will dominate Algieri.
The 29-year-old lightweight campaigner pointed out that Pacquiao is already in good shape more than a month before the fight, adding that the former pound-for-pound king's hand speed and power will be too much for Algieri.
"Let me just say he is already in fight shape," Martyniouk said. "I don't think it will be a tough fight for Manny. But it will be a very tough fight for Algieri. Some of the punches he throws are very fast and you don't see them and that's what he is going hurt Algieri with."
Martyniouk admitted that he was too nervous before their sparring session, but he believes that he did enough to emulate Algieri's style to help Pacquiao prepare for his title defense and that the experience he is gaining from their sparring sessions will also be big for him moving forward.
"I was really nervous but it went well," Martyniouk added. "It was definitely an experience sparring Manny. He is very tricky, very fast, got great movement and has very good power. He was very relaxed. I learned a lot of things; don't want to give them away just yet."
Martyniouk is aware that former sparring partners of Pacquiao improved well after training together with the eight-division champion, including Shawn Porter and Ruslan Provodnikov, who became world champions. The Estonia native said that he is now aware why Pacquiao also helped his previous sparring partners improve big time.
"I'm learning a lot here," said Martyniouk, who holds a 13-2 record. "This is such a great experience and I am very thankful and honored that I've been chosen to help Manny out. It will definitely get me to the next level. Most of Manny's sparring partners have done well in the pros after his training camp."
Aside from Martyniouk, Pacquiao is also scheduled to spar with Mike Jones, unbeaten junior welterweight Viktor Postol and undefeated former Olympian Jose Ramirez.
