Manny Pacquiao intensifies the sparring phase of his training in preparation for his January fight against Adrien Broner. (photo from Wendell Alinea)

by Nick Giongco

The quality of Manny Pacquiao’s sparring session went up a notch Thursday when he added five rounds at the Elorde Gym.

Two days after commencing with the crucial sparring phase with four rounds Tuesday, Pacquiao worked with Australian George Kambosos once again as the Filipino star prepares for his Jan. 19 clash with Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Team Pacquiao is expected to fly out of Manila en route to Los Angeles on Dec. 22 or a bit earlier.

But it won’t be before Dec. 17, the 40th birthday of the eight-division world champion as Pacquiao is celebrating this special day with a blast in General Santos City.

Pacquiao’s last fight — a seventh-round knockout of Argentine Lucas Matthysse to nail the WBA welterweight crown—took place last July at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

Pacquiao is slightly favored to run roughshod over the 29-year-old Cincinnati-born Broner, a four-division champion.

Tags: Adrien Broner , George Kambosos , Lucas Matthysse , Manny Pacquiao , Team Pacquiao