Salud, the right-hand man of boxing star Manny Pacquiao, has recruited Pacquiao’s long-time friend and training assistant Buboy Fernandez to make sure Jaca goes into the scheduled 12-rounder in razor-sharp form.

Jaca is booked to duel with Nobuhito Honmo at the famed Korakuen Hall.

"I want Jimrex to train hard for this fight that’s why I brought in Buboy, who is a disciple of Freddie Roach," Salud told the Bulletin on Saturday as he watched Jaca spar for four rounds with Jun Paderna.

Fernandez arrived here from Legazpi City on Wednesday and will stay until Jaca departs for Japan with Salud and another cornerman Jun Bubuli. Fernandez can afford to take the time out and train Jaca since Pacquiao begin his training in lateApril or early-May for a tuneup fight in June or July in Manila, Roach will be on his side.

Jaca rose to prominence last January when he knocked out Mexican Geronimo Hernandez in the first round underneath Manny Pacquiao’s unforgettable victory over Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Jaca sports a 25-1-1 win-loss-draw slate with 12 knockouts, while Honmo parades a 27-4-2 slate with five knockouts.

"I have a strong feeling Jimrex will be able to get the job done," exclaimed Salud. "That victory over Hernandez in Las Vegas that was watched by a world wide audience boosted his confidence."

Originally from Sibuyan, Negros Oriental, Jaca leans heavily on his overhand right punch, the same blow that took the sting out of Hernandez.

"Watch out for this kid," said Salud of Jaca, nicknamed "The Executioner." —NIck GIONGCO