Manny Pacquiao will reportedly train with two new sparring mates as he continues his preparations for the superfight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. However, Pacquiao’s camp has requested to keep the identities of his two new sparring mates secret.

GMA News anchor Connie Sison reported that two new sparring partners have arrived on March 18 (U.S. time) to help Pacquiao be primed by the time May 2 arrives. Sison is in Los Angeles to cover the richest bout in the history of boxing.

“Two more sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao have arrived,” Sison said. “However, Pacquiao’s team has asked us not to mention their names or show their faces.”

Pacquiao has started his sparring session on Tuesday with two up-and-coming young fighters. The sparring partners were identified as Kenneth Sims (5-0, 2 KOs) and Edis Totli (24-1, 8 KOs). Pacquiao initially sparred a couple of rounds with Totli and then sparred three more rounds with Sims.

The eight-division Filipino world champion was reportedly pleased with his first day of sparring. He told PhilBoxing.com’s Eddie Alinea that his first two sparring mates were “perfect” to test the tactical plan that he and longtime trainer Freddie Roach have outlined for the Mayweather fight. Pacquiao said he was “happy with his stamina and speed.”

As for Pacquiao’s secret sparring mates, it is going to be mind games not only for boxing fans but for Mayweather’s camp too. Roach previously revealed that a workout partner from the undefeated fighter’s camp was slated to help Pacquiao in his training.

“I have a secret sparring partner,” Roach said. “He doesn’t want to get beat up or something like that because he’s leaving Mayweather’s camp.”

It is very likely that Pacquiao and Mayweather will both be ready when May 2 comes. Pacquiao’s former strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza is now working for Mayweather. Ariza has been a key member of Pacquiao’s team especially during those times that the Filipino has scored victories over Antonio Margarito, Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto.

Getting someone from each other’s camp can certainly help Pacquiao and Mayweather during training, but will it be enough for them to win the bout? Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) and Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) will meet in a joint HBO and Showtime pay-per-view event on May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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