PACQUIAO TO END ROACH’S WORRIES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 06 Aug 2007
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao appeared ready to end the concern of celebrated trainer Freddie Roach about the delay in his arrival in Los Angeles to begin training at Roach’s Wild Card Gymin in preparation for his October 6 rematch against legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera who has already started training.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, the two-time “Trainer of the Year” revealed that Pacquiao was scheduled to arrive in the US on August 4 which jibed with the announcement by Pacquiao’s close friend and confidant Rex “Wakee” Salud that Pacquiao was booked to leave for the US with trainers Buboy Hernandez and Nonoy Neri Sunday. However, Salud qualified his statement by saying “I am not one hundred percent sure with Manny until he boards the plane” although he conceded this time Pacquiao “cannot afford to postpone his departure.”
Roach said “he is supposed to be here on the 4th if he gets any later than that then I will start to worry. We have seven weeks if he comes on the 4th so we’ll be okay.”
Barrera is determined to avenge the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Pacquiao in November 2003 in San Antonio, Texas when he was stopped in eleven rounds after a bad beating and has already begun training. Barrera said he is determined to beat Pacquiao and become the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Roach said “this wont be an easy fight. Barrera can make it difficult.” At the same time the popular trainer indicated that while Pacquiao is reportedly having late nights playing pool and shooting a movie, when he gets into the Wild Card Gym he is the most dedicated athlete in the world and “its no problem.”
Pacquiao has postponed his departure for the US no less than four times, in the process forcing Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions to re-set a new conference at the plush Beverly Hills Hotel which Pacquiao and Barrera were scheduled to attend.
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