MANILA, Philippines – Seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao knows that for as long as he keeps on winning, he will remain the target of very strong contenders.

Pacquiao said that this is the reason why he trains tirelessly each time he is scheduled to fight.

“Iyong mga lumalaban sa akin, nag-eensayo nang mabuti kasi gusto nila talunin ako... kaya kailangan practice talaga,” said the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champ.

The Filipino boxing icon is preparing against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey for their March 13 bout at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

In his latest sparring session, Pacquiao faced American Mike Dallas and Ghanaian Abdullai Amidu for 4 rounds each.

Dallas and Amidu admitted the Filipino champ is quite tough to handle.

“He's got the power, the speed… He never gets tired,” said Amidu.

After the sparring, Pacquiao hit the mitts with his coach Freddie Roach.

To the delight of the crowd who visited the Wild Card Gym that day, the Filipino champ displayed mastery of the boxing combinations, the lateral movements, and even the follow up punches they have chosen to beat Clottey.

Even after the session ended, Pacquiao asked for more rounds.

Next week, he will have former Oscar de la Hoya opponent Steve Forbes as his training partner.

It was in the Forbes-De la Hoya fight in 2008 when Roach discovered the possibility that Pacquiao could beat the boxing great.

Although Forbes lost by a unanimous decision to the taller De la Hoya, he was able to connect well-time punches despite the Mexican-American’s longer reach. With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News