“FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT” - ROACH
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Oct 2009
MANDALUYONG CITY -- “If Cotto doesn't run, we'll knock him out in the first round.”
This was Freddie Roach's bold declaration minutes before Manny Pacquiao started his training session Wednesday afternoon at Gerry Penalosa's Gym in Mandaluyong City.
Pacquiao is winding down his training here in the Philippines and will leave for the U.S this weekend.
I asked Roach if he had any regrets coming to the Philippines to train Pacquiao after everything that happened.
“No regrets. We continued to train despite the typhoons. The aftermath was tragic of course, all those people being flooded. But we continued to train despite the weather and we don't melt when hit with water.” Roach exuded cool confidence as he spoke.
Was this the first time Manny used the swimming pool during training?
“We've been trying to make him swim for eight years This is the first time he tried it.”
Did Pacquiao like it?
“No, He swallowed a lot of water and didn't like it.” Roach replied.
There were local and American T.V crews waiting for Pacquiao. After going through his usual warm-ups and stretching, Pacquiao went through his afternoon sparring sparring session which was closed to the media. He sparred for ten rounds against Danny Escobar, Shawn Porter and Jose Luis Castillo. Pacquiao once again showed his amazing stamina as he hit speed bag after his sparring session.
In 23 days, Pacquiao will face WBO welterweight champ Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico for a historic seventh world crown.
Top photo: Pacquiao (L) with conditioning coach Alex Ariza during Wednesday afternoon's training session at the Penalosa Gym in Mandaluyong City. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Roach (R) with the author at the Penalosa Gym Wednesday afternoon.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 30 Jan 2026“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 30 Jan 2026ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026