MEXICAN SPARMATE SAYS PACQUIAO TOO STRONG, TOO FAST FOR BARRERA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Sep 2007
One of Manny Pacquiao’s Mexican sparring partners, lightweight David Rodela says the Filipino ring idol is “just too strong, too fast and too young” for legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera and he believes “nobody can beat Manny right now.”
Rodela was speaking to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today in Cebu where the TV outfit was shooting footage for a one-hour , pre-fight special titled “Repeat or Revenge” to be telecast on September 30 at 4:00 p.m. over RPN 9, sponsored by Tanduay, the No.1 Rhum, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Rodela said that clearing the RWS Gym of Rex “Wakee” Salud of crowds who disrupted Pacquiao’s training as well as his focus early on helped Pacquiao who he said “looks very comfortable now that here are not too many people here. Not too much media, not too much pressure. He looks a lot more relaxed, more in the zone.
Rodela said Pacquiao looks very good and despite the bout with the flu his condition is “ really good and he looks strong” adding “he’s ready.”
Noting that at 28 Pacquiao is “in his prime time” Rodela said the Filipino southpaw is “unbeatable and nobody is going to be able to beat him – not for a while.”
Referring to Barrera, the young Rodela felt that “his time is done. I think he’s already finished. He’s too old and its time to retire.” While maintaining that he was “not taking any credit away from Barrera” Rodela maintained it was time for Pacquiao “to take over.”
When asked about the vaunted punching power of Pacquiao and whether it was because of a combination of speed and power Rodela replied “all I know us it hurts when he hits me.”
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