ROACH DISMISSES FEARS OF PACQUIAO?S DIMINISHING PUNCHING POWER
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Jun 2008
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach has dismissed the concern expressed by World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman that Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao?s punching power may diminish because of his moving up in weight to fight lightweight champion David Diaz.
The "Lethal Combination" showdown takes place at the andalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on June 28 (June 29 in Manila) and will be telecast by Solar Sports over GMA 7 ;
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Roach said ?I think he will be even stronger? at 135 pounds and the move to lightweight ?will be better for him? since Pacquiao was encountering problems making the super featherweight limit where he is the reigning champion following his split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez last March 15.
Roach said Pacquiao sparred ten hard rounds Friday and is ?very, very focused and doing great." Roach added, ?he is behaving himself very well? which strengthened Pacquiao?s own commitment to change his former fun-filled lifestyle.
Pacquiao himself in a phone conversation with reporters at the official signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between Solar Sports and GMA 7, Friday, said "I have to change my style? because Diaz is a southpaw.
With 22 days to go Pacquiao said his weight was down to 138-139 which was just three or four pounds above the lightweight limit but said ?its tough because it?s the first time I am fighting as a lightweight. I can?t be overconfident or underestimate my opponent. I want a good fight so the fans will be happy.?
When reminded that bad luck dogged fighters such as the great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde who had fought for the world lightweight title twice and lost after moving up to challenge Carlos Ortiz, Pacquiao replied ?I am different compared to them. They were unlucky.?
Diaz meantime revealed in his regular diary for the Chicago Sun Times newspaper that for him ?training has truly reached a fever pitch at this point and my mind and body are responding very well to the increased preparation.? Diaz said he had promised himself at the start of his training camp in Chicago last April 19 ?that I would be 100 percent fully prepared to fight Manny and defend my title.?
The JABB gym in which Diaz works out has no air conditioning and the champion noted that ?the heat wave that has started has really picked up in the gym. With no air-conditioning the sweat comes fast when we are working.?
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