HAPPY CAMPERS

It is not very often these days that Marvin Somodio gets asked about Manny Pacquiao, who is getting ready to challenge for the world title on 19 July at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Somodio doesn’t have an official rank in the Pacquiao training team which is made up of Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez and strength coach Justin Fortune.

But his role is as equally important as the rest of the crew.

As Pacquiao revs up for World Boxing Council welterweight king Mario Barrios, Somodio is one guy worthy enough to assess the situation in camp.

Since Pacquiao kicked off the buildup at the Wild Card Boxing Club, Somodio has been right there from the start, lending a hand to the training sessions as Roach’s right-hand man and Fernandez’s backup.

With less than three weeks before the fight, Somodio came out with a genuine assessment on how things are taking place at the gym.

“He’s looking good,” a bubbly Somodio told DAILY TRIBUNE after another tough workout in Hollywood.

“I feel like this camp is better than the last one,” said Somodio, referring to 2021 when Pacquiao last fought and lost to last-minute substitute Yordenis Ugas of Cuba.

Somodio was also present that camp when Ugas had to step up to the plate after original opponent Errol Spence withdrew owing to an eye injury that needed immediate medical treatment.

Pacquiao lost on a unanimous decision to Ugas, who was called in 10 days before the scheduled bout that took place at the T-Mobile Arena.

So far, everything seems to be on point, according to Somodio, who was imported by Roach 15 years ago after Pacquiao put up camp in Baguio City where Somodio was based.

Pacquiao hasn’t missed a beat in training and sparring is right on track, signs that point to a big night for the 46-year-old eight-division legend.

While oddsmakers are of the belief that Pacquiao’s comeback bid is going to fall short, such is not the sentiment over the Wild Card where team members are looking forward to his coronation.

Meanwhile, Barrios is likewise neck-deep in his preparation after relocating to Sin City from his native San Antonio, Texas.

“It’s all smiles between us right now, but when that bell rings, we’re going in there with bad intentions,” Barrios, 30, said during his recent open media workout at the Pound For Pound Gym.