Young Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso invited to train at Manny Pacquiao's private training camp

Hong Kong's Rex Tso Sing-yu has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with superstar idol Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines in October.

Tso, who will be fighting Thai fighter Rusalee Samor in the Fists of Gold II bill in Macau tomorrow night, said he wouldn't "miss it for the world" - not only the chance to trade shots with the former eight-division world champion but helping "Pacman" get in shape for his next fight against American Brandon Rios on November 24, also at the Venetian Cotai Arena.

"I couldn't be more excited about this. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Pacquiao is my super idol and to train alongside him is a huge honour," said Tso, who will probably train in General Santos city for 10 days.

The Pacquiao camp, headed by coach Freddie Roach, have been impressed by the Hong Kong fighter, who sparred with Roach's protégé, China's two-time gold medallist Zou Shiming, when they were in Hong Kong last week preparing for Fists of Gold II.

Pacquiao will begin training for the Rios fight on October 6 and the 34-year-old Filipino, coming off two successive defeats, wants to prove he is still a force in the ring.

"We put Shiming in with Rex in Hong Kong last week and we had very good training. Shiming had too much speed on Rex, who is a very good up-and-comer," Hall-of-Fame trainer Roach said.

"I invited Rex to train with Pacquiao and Shiming in the Philippines because Rex could be a really good sparring partner for these guys. He can help us out and help himself out, too.