ROACH PUTS ORDER INTO TRAINING, BERISTAIN FAVORS PACMAN!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 16 Aug 2007
CEBU CITY--Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach arrived in Cebu this morning, confident that he could put order into the training of his superstar pupil Manny Pacquiao who is currently training at Wakee Salud's gym here.
"He's here!" Salud told this writer after fetching the renowned fight strategist at the airport.
Roach was immediately whisked on a waiting SUV to the posh Waterfront Cebu City Hotel where Pacquiao and Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez are billeted. Roach will also stay at the hotel the entire duration of his stay.
The two sparmates for Pacquiao are due to arrive on Sunday, according to GMA's Chino Trinidad.
Roach immediately buckled down to work a few hours later, holding the punchmitts for his prized ward for six hellish rounds.
Fernandez, who was with Pacquiao before Roach came, assisted the duo and was impressed by Pacquiao's conditioning yesterday. The Filipino trainer said Pacquiao ran at the IT Park in front of the Waterfront Hotel in the morning.
Pacquiao (R) does the mitts with American trainer Freddie Roach at the Wakee Salud Gym in Cebu City.
Manny Pacquiao hits the speedball as fans follow his every move.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Meanwhile, another celebrated trainer from Mexico, the legendary Ignacio 'Nacho' Beristain, told the Mexican press yesterday that he thinks Pacquiao has what it takes to score yet another victory over Barrera.
“It will be difficult for Barrera to win," Beristain said from his gym in Iztacalco. “Pacquiao has the style that will complicate things for Barrera. He is fast, elusive and… left-handed."
Beristain's protege, WBC superfeatherweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez, is hoping to land a rematch with Pacquiao after he takes care of Rocky Juarez on September 15 at the MGM Grand.
Juarez, a member of the US Team that saw action at the Sydney Olympics, had replaced Jorge Barrios after the latter was not medically cleared to see action.
Beristain, who mentored 16 proteges into winning world titles, is confident his ward will retain his WBC title and eventually face Pacquiao in a rematch.
In an interview with this writer recently in Sacramento, Beristain maintains that Marquez has what it takes to defeat Pacquiao, although the Filipino icon is a "very, very tough fighter" to face.
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