Roach to keep game plan vs Floyd 'secret'

MANILA – Celebrated boxing trainer Freddie Roach has had a game plan for Floyd Mayweather Jr. for several years now but refuses to divulge it especially as his prized ward, Manny Pacquiao, is finally set to face the American on May 2.

"I have had a plan for five years for this guy," Roach told Boxing Scene, referring to Mayweather.

This is likely because talks of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight first surfaced five years ago, when both boxers were the undisputed top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

But negotiations would fall apart, and then start again, several times over the next few years. It wasn't until late February 2015 that a deal for a May 2 bout was finally signed for what is likely to be the richest bout in boxing history.

Pacquiao and Mayweather are not the same fighters that they were five years ago when Roach first created his game plan, and the trainer said he has made some changes accordingly.

"It has changed a bit because both fighters have changed," Roach said. "But most of it is still intact."

"I know exactly what I want Manny to do," he stressed. "When I go home to training camp, we'll start working on it."

Roach has no plans of revealing what that game plan is, however, and even says that he plans to shut down the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles while Pacquiao is training there.

"I won't tell you what the game plan is, because that will be very silent," he said. "The whole Wild Card Gym will be shut down."

"We will work out Manny's best strategy, and nobody will watch it," he stressed. "The cameras are only allowed after sparring and after mitts."

Pacquiao is the underdog against Mayweather, who has a 47-0 record and is known as one of the greatest defensive fighters of his generation.

But Roach is confident, believing that Pacquiao is "the best guy in the world," and insists his fighter is "fresher and stronger" than the American champion.

"I studied (Mayweather) quite a bit. He's a good fighter, don't get me wrong, but he's a bit boring," said Roach. "We have to dictate the pace of the fight, we have to throw more punches. He's very defensive."

Pacquiao is already at the Wild Card Gym, and kicked off the Los Angeles phase of his training camp yesterday. Roach is currently in Macau where he is set to corner Zou Shiming as the Chinese star challenges Thailand's Amnat Ruenroeng for a flyweight title.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao fans gird for Marquez clash

MANILA, Philippines - Two days to go before the blockbuster fourth fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez and even the fans of the Pacman here and abroad are ready to rumble.

In his home province of Sarangani, preparations are underway for the live viewing of thousands at their gym as they already gave away tickets for the event.

“Suportado talaga namin si Pacquiao, sir. Magaling siya!” said Pacquiao supporter Marvin Dagame.

“Mananalo si Pacquiao dahil magaling ‘yan, mana-knockout niya si Marquez,” said Jerome Abansado, another Pacquiao fan.

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, the odds are not as big ,but they still favor the Pacman.

A $290 bet for Pacquiao will net a bettor $100 if he wins while a $100 bet for Marquez gets $230 if the Mexican wins.

“Tataya ako kalahati ng sweldo ko ay itataya ko kay pacquiao, Pacquiao go go go," said one Pinoy bettor in the US.

"We love Pacquiao so much. Everytime may laban si Pacquiao dito sa Vegas we have a party," said Las Vegas resident Divina Averilla.

For veteran boxing analysts, the fight should not, and likely will not last long.

“What Pacquiao can do I think is win by TKO, cut this guy up so badly that [referee Kenny] Bayless will stop the fight,” said local ring commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz. “The nice thing about him is that the fire within him has rekindled.”

“Si Manny should win via TKO or KO in the 7th round, kasi kung magde-decision pa ‘yan delikado pa si Manny,” boxing analyst Recah Trinidad, said for his part.

“Atsaka dapat wala na syang injury sa calf nya, ‘di na dapat magka-cramps.”

Expert or simple boxing fan, by now most everyone agrees the sport needs this 4th and likely final installment of one of the greatest rivalries in boxing history to finally determine who is truly the better man in the ring. – TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News; Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

source: abs-cbnnews.com