ROACH SAYS BOBBY WILL GO FOR A KNOCKOUT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Jun 2007
Bobby Pacquiao.
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach says Bobby Pacquiao has the power to knock out Humberto Soto and they were “definitely going for it” when the younger brother of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao takes on the No. 2 WBC super featherweight contender at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Manila Time.
Roach, in an interview with Brad Cooney of Boxing Talk said they will look “to close the distance and get this guy out of there.” Earlier, Manny Pacquiao himself expressed confidence that his younger brother would win and said he had been training hard for the past two months at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
Roach told Cooney that besides training very hard, Pacquao was “more hungry than ever” pointing out that Bobby was “a good puncher and I think we have a chance to catch Humberto (Soto).”
The two-time “Trainer of the Year” award winner said that while Bobby Pacquiao doesn’t have the speed and combinations like his brother Manny, he has “great power.”
Roach conceded that it would be “tough” for Bobby to win on points against Soto who is handled by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum but said that “I think he needs to use his power to catch this guy.” Noting that Pacquiao has been working hard in the gym, Roach told Cooney “obviously Soto likes to fight so maybe in-between one of his shots Bobby can catch him.”
Pacquiao who weighed 133 pounds before his last sparring session had no problems with his weight unlike the last time when he lost his Continental Americas title on the scales after he failed to make the weight against Hector Velazquez. Pacquiao lost by disqualification in the eleventh round after a series of low blows.
At that time Bobby was hardly given any attention as Manny was also training for a fight at the same time. Roach said this time Bobby “doesn’t have to worry about his brother. All he has to worry about is the guy in front of him.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026