“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..
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