PACQUIAO AND ROACH EMBARK ON THEIR 35TH FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST HORN IN BRISBANE
By Eddie Alinea of Spin.ph
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Jun 2017
Did you know that on June 23, eve of Manny Pacquiao and his team?s departure for Australia for his World Boxing Organization welterweight championship date Australian challenger Jeff Horn, marks the exact day the Filipino ring legend won the second of his unprecedented eight-division belt collection?
That his July 2 fight with Horn at the Suncorp Arena in Brisbane will be his 35th under the wings of chief trainer Freddie Roach, which according to the Hall of Fame guru himself, is an occasion that needs to be celebrated.
"Is that so?" the 57-year-old Roach exclaimed when reminded by this writer Wednesday in long distance conversation before proceeding to the Pacman Gym in General Santos City where Pacquiao is presently training for said fight.
?If so then I?ll ask Manny that we celebrate,? Roach, the seven-time trainer of the year said laughing with a loud chuckle.
?And what kind of a celebration would you want the Senator to you?? this writer asked back.
?Well, I?ll ask him to knock the guy out. That way it won?t be only whom he will be gifting a present but also us members of his team, the entire Filipino nation and all of boxing fans in the universe who have been clamoring for him to do for a log time now,? Roach said.
That date on June 23, 2001, Pacquiao, still practically unheard from, pounded South African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for a sixth round technical knockout submission to wrest the latter?s International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight crown as a substitute challenger to the unavailable no, 1 contender. Having barely a two-week preparation, Manny gave a sensational performance that led unbelievers that he, indeed, has what it takes to own world championships in eight weight categories.
Already the holder of the World Boxing Council flyweight belt he won three earlier, the three-time fighter of the year added the ring featherweight, the WBC super-featherweight, the WBC lightweight, International Bing Organization/Ring junior-welterweight, WBO welterweight and the WBC super-welterweight in the succeeding years as a pro.
All, these title fights, except for a pair of unanimous decision triumphs over arch-enemy Juan Manuel Marquez for the 130-pound diadem and Antonio Magarito for the 154 plum, ended up via stoppage.
And with the way the fighting senator has been punishing his sparring partners with his quickness and power punches, Roach expressed strong belief that his pupil of 16 years is still capable of stopping not only his fighting teacher opponent but several others more before hanging his gloves for good.
Only last Monday, Pacquiao, again, floored Mexican sparring partner Adrian ?Chinito? Young in the final round of their four-round confrontation. It was the second time in as many sparring Pacquiao sent the Mexican made kissing the canvas.
Last Saturday, a right uppercut had the 23-year-old sprawled on the mat for the first time. Last Monday it was a left straight that sent him down.
The former two-time Sarangani Province congressman has yet to score a knockdown against Australian partner George Kambosos Jr., but if Roach is to be believed, the no. 9-ranked WBC lightweight have, likewise, been a recipient of Pacquiao?s speed and power.
?Manny?s getting better and better everyday,? Roach observed. ?Reason why we have been reducing and reducing the load of his training program.?
Roach assured that by the time Team Pacquiao leaves for Brisbane, Pacquiao will be very much ready to fight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea of Spin.ph.
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