MANILA, Philippines – With his welterweight title defense against Australia's Jeff Horn inching closer, Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is ramping up his preparations.

The reigning WBO welterweight champion returned to his hometown of General Santos City on Sunday, where he will spend the rest of his training camp. Before he flew home, however, Pacquiao racked up more sparring rounds with separate partners in Manila.

One of those fighters was Australia's George Kambosos, Jr., who arrived in Manila on Friday night, according to a PhilBoxing report.

"He fights like Jeff Horn, so we hired him as a sparring mate of Manny Pacquiao," Koncz told PhilBoxing's Aquiles Z. Zonio.

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According to the same report, Pacquiao sparred with Kambosos Jr. for three rounds, two rounds with Filipino boxer Leonardo Doronio, and four more rounds against Mexican boxer Adrian Young.

Kambosos Jr. was suitably impressed with the "Pacman," who remains a massive favorite against Horn in their July 2 fight.

"It is a big honor on my part to be a sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao, who is a legend in the sport of boxing," said the 23-year-old Australian.

"Manny Pacquiao is a lot more experienced as a fighter. He's so fast and his fighting style is unpredictable," Kambosos added. "But I expect Horn to also be at his best come fight night."

Pacquiao and his team flew to GenSan early Sunday morning. According to his team, they opted to return to General Santos City so the "Pacman" can train in private.

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