ROACH RETURNS AND PACQUIAO LOOKS FANTASTIC
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach returned to the Wild Card gym after a brief bout with a heavy cold and watched his prized possession, Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, put on what a Roach assistant Rob Peters said was a ?fantastic performance in sweltering heat.?
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Peters said Roach was ?really happy the way the camp has been going and with folks from the Philippines starting to show up Manny is happy and his mindset is really, really good.?
Pacquiao went eight rounds with regular sparring partners Julio Gamboa, Carlos Tangaro and Steve Quinonez and Peters said Pacquiao looked great and he was ?real happy and comfortable?. Peters said Diaz is a good fighter and we are "going to have a better fight than people expect, while it lasts.".
He added that with the NBA championship victory of the Boston Celtics which was Pacquiao?s favored team, ?we are doing pretty good about that.?
Meantime, respected boxing writer Kieran Mulvaney of Reuters and ESPN.com said that WBC lightweight champion David Diaz ?is perhaps the most difficult opponent Manny could pick for a lightweight debut, not because Diaz is very skilled but because he is big and strong and he fights hard for twelve rounds.?
Mulvaney believes that the key is going to be Pacquiao?s speed. Pacquiao himself mentioned in his media conference call that he is carrying his strength with him even as he moves up to 135 pounds but Mulvaney said ?keeping the speed is more difficult even though he should be much faster than Diaz.?
The noted journalist who often appears on HBO Countdown shows prior to a big fight said he doesn?t think Pacquiao can stop Diaz ?with one punch. But he may be able to overwhelm him with punches.. He is going to have to work very, very hard for this win.?
Mulvaney thinks that Pacquiao is a much better fighter but Diaz is ?a strong, tough opponent with great stamina.? He said he expects Pacquiao to win ?by decision, possibly a wide decision or a late stoppage but Diaz will make him work every minute of every round.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026