ROACH: PACQUIAO WILL GO AFTER LARIOS RIGHT AWAY
As Team Pacquiao Arrives in Manila
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Jun 2006
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach didn't hide his game-plan for Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao's Mano-A-Mano showdown with former two-time super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2.
Roach noted that Larios "gets better as the fight goes on so we are going to start early and jump right on him." Roach conceded that for all the reports downplaying Larios's ability to handle the speed and power of Pacquiao, the Mexican was "a tough guy who is always in shape. He is a workout freak."
Roach said Pacquiao's training camp at his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles "went very well" and the Filipino southpaw was "in great shape." He said "Manny knows what it is to be in tough fights and we are ready for Larios, whatever he has to offer."
Roach spoke to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today shortly after his arrival along with Pacquiao, former world flyweight champion Gerry Pe?alosa and the members of Pacquiao's management team, Shelly Finkel and lawyer Nick Kahn as well as Russian sparring partner Rustam Nugaev and his manager who were held at the Immigration Office since Nugaev had a Russian passport but no visa and his manager who is from Georgia, a green card and no passport.
Roach, concerned over the many distractions facing Pacquiao when in Manila said he will try to keep the fighter "as isolated as possible" emphasizing that Pacquiao "knows what he's got in front of him so we are going to be focused and train hard." Finkel said Pacquiao was ready and "looked great in training" even as he expressed the hope that "he can keep to a minimum the distractions at home." Finkel added, "there are certain things you are not going to be able to stop but hopefully he gets enough rest, training and stays focused."
Pacquiao himself said "I am ready to fight. I trained hard and studied Larios' style carefully." When informed that Larios had predicted he would win by a KO between the sixth and tenth rounds, Pacquiao let out a hearty laugh and exclaimed "really. Lets see on July 2."
There's a scheduled November 18 third encounter with Erik "El Terrible" Morales and a possible rematch with WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera next year. However, Pacquiao said he was "not thinking about the Morales fight because I am focused on the Larios fight." Pacquiao who left for Los Angeles last May 13 said he was "excited to see the Philippines again and to practice."
He said he would attend the premier of "Pacquiao The Movie" this evening in which Jericho Rosales plays Pacquiao and Bea Alonzo plays the role of his wife, Jinkee. Pacquiao said he chose the popular actor "because he knows boxing and Bea is nice and acts like my wife does."
Filipino trainer Restituto "Buboy" Fernandez who was on the same Philippine Airlines flight said Pacquiao had "peaked" and everything was fine. He said Pacquiao had sparred 12 rounds on Friday and 10 rounds last Sunday before they left LA. Fernandez said they had studied tapes of Larios fights and paid attention to how he moves adding "let him show what he's got and Manny will do everything he knows."
Fernandez, a longtime and trusted friend of Pacquiao was not ready to make any predictions but said he noticed that Larios was "a slow starter but after five rounds picks up speed. We must do what needs to be done in the early rounds."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE 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 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026