ROACH: "IT'S THEM WHO HAVE PROBLEMS, NOT US"
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 Apr 2015
LOS ANGELES, Cal. ? Problems? What problems?
This, in essence was how Manny Pacquiao?s chief trainer Freddie Roach reacted to reports that all is not well in the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion?s camp and that the fighting Sarangani Congressman is not ready as claimed for his coming fight with American Floyd Mayweather a week from now.
?Maybe it?s them who have problems, not us,? the 55-year-old Hall of Fame boxing guru argued. ?Truth is, as we have been saying, Manny?s in great shape and he?s ready to fight.?
?Well, it?s up to them really. If they don?t believe us, it?s their own fault,? Roach told media men at a mini post-workout press conference after Pacquiao?s regular training session at the Wild Card Gym.
The fighting Sarangani Congressman did the mitts with Roach for eight rounds, while skipping the regular rounds on heavy bags, the double end and speed balls.
Manny, as in the past days, asked for more, according to Roach, ?but I have to limit him to just eight rounds,? he explained. ?We?re already in the tapering off stage of preparations.?
Besides, he added, ?I want to rest my chest. He?s been beating me up for the past several weeks already. He?s really strong, I tell you. He?s never been stronger than in this camp.?
As to the report that Pacquiao will not be attending the Grand Arrival ceremony set a day after his team?s arrival on Tuesday, Roach couldn?t attest to its veracity.
?I don?t know about that,? Manny knows it?s a tradition and he should go, especially because this is a big fight, the biggest fight in his career,? he said. ?It?s his decision though, he may go or may not go.?
?But if he doesn?t, well, it?s not because he?s afraid or overwhelmed by the magnitude of this fight as has been insinuated,? the seven-time Trainer of the Year honoree of the Boxing Writers Association of America reasoned out.
?Manny and I have been together for 15 years and never did I see him scared,? he asserted. "He knows this is the biggest fight of his professional career and he cannot afford to take it easy in training, which, he, too, realized."
From the Wild Card Gym, Pacquiao, whose historic mega-fight showdown with the 47-0 win-loss record holder Mayweather is set this coming Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, proceeded to his Los Angeles residence.
As in the past several days, the house was filled with well-wishers and plain kibitzers, most of whom Manila-based government officials, including Sen. Ralph Recto.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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