ROACH RECRUITS AGGRESSIVE SPARRING PARTNER
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Jun 2008
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach has recruited an aggressive southpaw to strengthen the roster of sparring partners of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao as he steps up the tempo of his training in preparation for the ?Lethal Combination? showdown against World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz in Las Vegas on June 28.
The new sparring partner is Noel Rodriguez, a 22 year old from Texas who has what his brother, boxing writer Jesse Rodriguez said is a ?respectable? record of 13-2-1 with 5 knockouts in a brief item on 15rounds.com. Earlier reports said it was Juan Rodriguez, a comparative unknown.
Rodriguez who has been described as ?a pressure fighter? who will give Pacquiao a ?left-handed look? is coming off a tough twelve round unanimous decision loss in a North American Boxing Federation light welterweight title bout to highly regarded Francisco Figueroa. Figueroa is a hard-hitting .Puerto Rican champion who was referred to as ?the best kept secret in boxing? by Boxing Times.
Well-known TV boxing analyst Moy Lainez, a member of the original Team Pacquiao told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he expects Roach and Pacquiao to bring in tougher sparring partners as Pacquiao?s training moves into its final few weeks and the choice of Rodriguez supports that contention. At the same time Lainez said he believes Pacquiao's sparring is being properly programmed by Roach and he expects Pacquiao to beat Diaz because the WBC super featherweight champion is "faster and stronger."
Pacquiao and Diaz thrilled a predominantly Filipino crowd of fights fans from the Bay area who crowded the West Wind Gym in Berkley, San Francisco top catch a glimpse of their idol and the likeable Diaz in a public workout.
Pacquiao worked the punch-mitts with Roach and put on what one onlooker told us was an ?awesome performance.? Pacquiao, as usual, was in high spirits and signed autographs and posed for pictures.
Pacquiao said later ?my fans are very important to me, especially the fans in San Francisco and the Bay Rea. I fight for them and they always support me.?
Diaz was clearly overshadowed in terms of fan adulation but he was always given the respect of a champion and applauded. Diaz repeated what he has often said before ? ?I know most people don?t give me a chance but I know I can do it and my corner knows and that?s all that matters.?
Diaz added, ?people can underestimate me all they want but I don?t think Manny underestimate me. We?ll see next month.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
Tue, 06 May 2025Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
Mon, 05 May 2025"THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 05 May 2025Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
By T. Chin-Te, Mon, 05 May 2025Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 05 May 2025Canelo Wins the 'Xicoténcatl' Belt and is Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Once Again
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 04 May 2025Florentino Inumerable rules 2025 Illinois Senior State Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 04 May 2025