UFC champ GSP trains with Pacquiao -- ABS-CBN News

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MANILA, Philippines – Visiting Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight champion Georges St.-Pierre (GSP) shared a training gym with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king Manny Pacquiao on Friday.

St.-Pierre, who is in Manila for a 3-day UFC tour, got his wish to finally meet and train with Pacquiao, who is currently in the thick of preparations for his boxing match against Mexico's Antonio Margarito.

The UFC champion from Canada immediately greeted Pacquiao in Filipino when they met in the Elorde Gym locker room. "Kamusta ka, kamusta ka (How are you, how are you)?" said St.-Pierre.

Pacquiao warmly welcomed and thanked St.-Pierre.

"Thank you for your support and being a fan," said the 7-division boxing champion.

"I look forward to watch your next fight," St.-Pierre replied. "Hopefully, one day you'll take on [Floyd] Mayweather and knock him out."

St.-Pierre, who has Freddie Roach as boxing coach, said he is an avid Pacquiao fan.

The Canadian keenly observed the Filipino hitting the mitts for 10 full rounds. He later took his turn in receiving instructions from Roach.

"He's the fastest guy I've ever seen in my life," St.-Pierre said of Pacquiao's skills. "Amazing."

The MMA fighter also cited Roach for improving his boxing skills. Boxing is one of the martial arts disciplines in MMA.

“He’s [Roach] so technical. If I follow what he says regarding boxing’s perspective, there is no way I’m gonna lose a fight,” said St.-Pierre.

“One thing about him [GSP] is, when I teach him something, he really goes and practices it over and over,” said Roach.

The Canadian will be joining Pacquiao’s camp until the latter leaves over the weekend for Baguio City where he will continue his training.

The boxing champion will be spending 3 weeks in Baguio, the "City of Pines," for the more aggressive phase of his training.

Pacquiao is preparing for his November 13 fight against Margarito.

St.-Pierre will have an MMA fight on December 11 against welterweight challenger Josh Koscheck.

St.-Pierre’s 3-day tour in Manila will conclude with a meet-and-greet with local MMA fans on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia, where he will conduct an open training. -- With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Source: abs-cbnnews.com