Roach may advise Pacquiao to consider retirement

Manny Pacquiao's unanimous decision loss to Jeff Horn, as controversial as it was, might just be a sign that the "Pacman" can no longer juggle his multiple responsibilities as a boxer and as a Senator.

This, according to his own coach, Freddie Roach.

Roach watched from the corner as Pacquiao repeatedly whacked away at the 29-year-old Horn, and believed that the "Pacman" deserved the decision. However, he also saw how the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing failed to close out the show after a superb ninth round.

"The ninth round was very good," said Roach, referring to Pacquiao's best round of the bout that saw him nearly stop Horn. "I wanted one more like that, and he just didn't have it."

"That was a very, very busy round, very aggressive, very explosive, good combinations. That was the Manny Pacquiao I've been working to see. He had spurts… but not enough," he added.

Horn wound up with a 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 win to claim the WBO welterweight belt, his first world title. Pacquiao, meanwhile, lost for the first time since dropping a unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather in May 2015.

Pacquiao did not retire after that fight against Mayweather, opting instead to face Timothy Bradley in April 2016 for what should have been his final fight. He was back in the ring later that year, however, beating Jessie Vargas for the WBO belt.

After his prized ward lost the title to the younger Horn, Roach admits that it may be time for Pacquiao to hang up his gloves for good.

"Yes," he said frankly when asked if retirement is now an option for Pacquiao.

"I'm going to watch the tape and talk to Manny about it," he added. "We will have a discussion about that, yes. Being a senator, and being a fighter, it's really hard."

Roach noted that Pacquiao was able to juggle his life as a boxer and a politician better back when he was a congressman, partly because the "Pacman" did not have as many responsibilities back then. His job in the Senate, however, is much more demanding.

"He likes this better than the other one," Roach said. "For me, looking in, I can see he's liking this job now. He's a lot busier in this job than he was before. Now he's a senator… maybe it is over."

If Pacquiao is to continue with his boxing career, that will require more free time, said Roach, and he admits that may not be possible given the demands of the job.

"It's a difficult decision, but it might be one he has to make," said Roach.

Nevertheless, Roach wants it known that he believes Pacquiao should have won. "I had him up three or four points, but I'm not a judge though," he said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Roach: Horn is no Marquez

Veteran trainer Freddie Roach appeared amused when asked about Jeff Horn's plan of landing a monster right hand on Manny Pacquiao in their July 2 bout – the same kind of punch that Juan Manuel Marquez used to knock out the "Pacman" back in December 2012.

"The Marquez knockout has been our main point," Horn said ahead of his showdown against the Filipino star, which marks his first time to fight for a world title.

"Marquez fought Pacquiao the best that anyone has fought Pacquiao. So he's someone that we have looked at a lot, and to land the same punch that Marquez did in the fight – the big overhand right – that's definitely what we're looking for," he added.

Roach was in Pacquiao's corner when Marquez connected on that stunning right hand counter that sent the Filipino star falling face first to the canvas with just one second to go in the sixth round.

It marked the only time that a Pacquiao-Marquez bout had a definitive result as their previous three fights all ended in inconclusive decisions.

But Roach doubts that Horn has it in him to land a Marquez-like punch, even if the Australian does have a strong right hand.


"Well, you know, he's not Marquez, and he never will be," Roach said bluntly.

The only way that Horn can land a blow like that is if Pacquiao makes a mistake, the way he did against Marquez.

"If Manny steps on his foot and slips over a little bit and makes a mistake like that, he'll have Marquez all over again," said Roach. "But I don't see that happening."

"I don't know if we can compare Horn and Marquez," the trainer stressed. "Marquez is a great fighter, and Horn, he's a young kind coming up. We'll see."

But Roach stressed that Pacquiao is not in any way underestimating Horn, especially as the trainer believes that the Australian has "nothing to lose."

"He is in a very good situation," Roach said of Horn. "He can go out there and maybe get lucky, you never know. But we're not underestimating him – we're 100% ready for him."

"I don't think he'll beat Manny, but the thing is, he's in a very good position to help himself and help his country," he added.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Pacquiao-Khan showdown is possible: Arum

A bout between former sparring partners Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan is possible for 2016, according to Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum.

Khan, who was snubbed by unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a September 12 fight date, has turned his attention to Pacquiao, his former stable mate back when they were both trained by Freddie Roach.

"If he (Mayweather) is not going to man up and fight me, then I'll have to fight Manny Pacquiao or someone like that," Khan said in a recent interview. "I really believe that fight can be made easily. I think Manny is a man and he would definitely take that fight."

In an interview with The Telegraph, Arum said he can make it happen.

"This kid, Amir Khan, keeps shooting his mouth off about Manny Pacquiao," he said. "I can arrange for Khan to fight Pacquiao."

"Amir Khan has been begging Mayweather for a fight, and now he can get a major fight. I'm not a hard guy to deal with. I'm not going to mess them around," he added.

But Arum made it clear that the fight can't happen in 2015 as Pacquiao is still recovering from the shoulder injury that he sustained while training for his May 2 "Fight of the Century" against Mayweather. It can be held next year in the Middle East, said the promoter.

"He'll fight early next year, and probably in the Middle East. Vegas is a possibility, but more likely in the Middle East. It won't be in Dubai, but it will be in the Middle East. If not, we'll do it in Vegas," said Arum.

One thing that Arum is sure of is that Pacquiao will win against Khan.

"It's a good fight. Manny beats him, though, in my opinion," he said. "Manny is getting up in age, so you never know what's going to happen. But I think he hits too hard for Khan."

Arum does feel that Khan should have been given the chance to fight Mayweather, and is disappointed that the unbeaten American chose Andre Berto as his opponent.

"That's a farce," Arum said of the Mayweather-Berto match-up. "Mayweather should have fought Khan next. It would have been an interesting fight."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach explains why Pacquiao dislikes Floyd

Celebrated boxing trainer Freddie Roach is convinced that his prized pupil, Manny Pacquiao, is not too fond of his May 2 opponent, unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr., even as the "Pacman" refuses to talk trash about "Money."

"For the first time in my life with Manny Pacquiao, this is the first fighter he hasn't like. I can tell," Roach said in a story by USA Today.

Pacquiao did not say anything bad about Mayweather during the lone press conference before their highly anticipated super fight, but the American has a history of badmouthing his Filipino opponent.

Mayweather famously went on a racist rant against Pacquiao in 2010 and has in the past accused the "Pacman" of using performance-enhancing drugs, forcing Pacquiao to sue him for defamation. The suit was eventually settled out of court.

But Roach believes the primary reason that Pacquiao dislikes Mayweather so intensely is the American's history of domestic abuse.

"Manny is really against domestic violence," Roach told USA Today. "it's a big issue maybe in the Philippines for him, and being a congressman, he can control some of that stuff."

"That is a big plus for me, that Manny does not like the guy. I think the killer instinct is going to come back a lot faster," he said.

Mayweather has a long history of domestic abuse issues, and in 2012, he served time in a Nevada detention facility after a guilty plea on a domestic violence charge.

Roach has not been shy about calling Mayweather a "bad role model," especially for children, and admitted that he sees the upcoming Pacquiao-Mayweather fight as a battle of "good against evil."

"I even thought about bringing a couple of metro cops from Vegas to tell Manny how many times (Mayweather) has been arrested, and how bad of a guy he is," Roach said. "But I decided I can't go that far."

"He already doesn't like him. I think we're okay," he added.

Mayweather's domestic violence charges also resonates negatively with Roach, who grew up in an abusive household.

"I grew up with (domestic violence), and I realized a bit later in life that it wasn't right. I didn't know when I was little," he said, revealing that his father was physically abusive towards his mother.

"To be honest with you, I was scared to death of him. His answer for everything was to use his fists," he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach fires shots at 'nervous' Floyd Sr.

The ongoing rivalry between trainers Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr. is among the more interesting stories surrounding the highly anticipated May 2 showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The elder Mayweather has been a fixture at his son's corner ever since the two mended fences a couple of years ago, and has been the champion's chief trainer while Roger Mayweather – the unbeaten boxer's uncle and trainer – dealt with health issues.

Roach and Mayweather Sr. have exchanged insults over the years and the two are expected to escalate their word war as their fighters are set to finally face off after half a decade of on-and-off negotiations.

On the Jim Rome Show, Roach got the ball rolling again, saying he is more impressed with Roger Mayweather as a trainer.

"The dad gets so nervous in between rounds. He has trouble getting the words out," Roach said, as quoted by Boxing Scene. "He kinds of stutters halfway through it, and he doesn't really get the information across to the fighter."

"I mean, I'm really happy he's in the corner because the kid's going to be fighting by himself," he added.

Roach fully expects Mayweather Sr. to succumb to the pressure of the mega-fight, leaving his son to fend for himself – something the boxing champ has done all his life.

"He grew up in the gym," said Roach of Mayweather. "I've known him since he was five years old. He was a good fighter at five."

"But the thing is, he's always taught himself, and he's never really been taught the correct way to do things, and I don't think his father can deliver that," he added.

Mayweather Sr., for his part, has recently said that Roach "doesn't know what the hell he's talking about."

"Freddie Roach was talking about my son, talking about Roger getting in the corner. Hey, he don't want the master in the corner. That's what it is," he said.

"He don't want the master in the corner because you know what the master's gonna do? The master's gonna tell him to do some things that he ain't never seen before."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach: We'll kick Mayweather's ass

LOS ANGELES -- Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach drew first blood in the war of words with Floyd Mayweather on Wednesday as the countdown to the biggest boxing bout in history got under way.

In remarks to a packed press conference attended by an estimated 600 journalists, Roach said Pacquiao's eagerly awaited May 2 title fight with Mayweather in Las Vegas represented the biggest challenge of his celebrated career as one of boxing's most respected trainers.

But Roach did not mince his words as he wrapped up his comments with a blunt assessment of Pacquiao's task.

"We're fighting the best fighter in the world -- and we're going to kick his ass," Roach said to cheers from sections of the audience, with Mayweather sitting just a few feet away on the stage in Los Angeles.

"I love challenges and this is the biggest challenge of my life," Roach said. "It's finally here. I've been looking forward to this fight for years.

"It's the toughest fight of our life. I'm going to get my fighter as ready as possible."

Pacquiao's bout with the unbeaten Mayweather represents the climax to years of will-they won't-they speculation surrounding the possibility of a showdown between the two rivals, widely regarded as the finest fighters of their generation.

The fight finally became a reality earlier this year when Pacquiao and Mayweather met informally at an NBA basketball game and expressed a mutual desire to make the contest finally happen.

"It's been a long road, but we're here now," Mayweather said. "It's all about the best fighting the best, and Pacquiao is one of the best."

May's fight is expected to be the highest-grossing bout in history, with Mayweather reportedly set to collect a staggering $120 million while Pacquiao will pocket a cool $80 million.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cotto reveals Pacquiao's secret weapon

MANILA, Philippines -- After hiring Freddie Roach as his trainer, Puerto Rican bruiser Miguel Cotto realized why Manny Pacquiao has been successful in boxing.

Cotto said the 7-time Boxing Coach of the Year is Pacquiao's secret weapon as far as boxing science is concerned.

He said Roach will be a big factor in the fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., who doesn't enjoy the same thing under his coach Floyd Sr.

“After working with Freddie I think Freddie is going to be huge in the fight,” Cotto said in a New York Post report.

The Puerto Rican knows what he's talking about because he fought Pacquiao in 2009.

Cotto faced Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title, but got knocked down twice before being halted in the 12th round.

Years later, Cotto fought Mayweather and ended up losing via unanimous decision.

The Puerto Rican, however, thinks Pacquiao is a tougher match.

“I’m going for Manny,” he said.

Cotto hooked up with Roach after losing to Austin Trout in 2012.

The partnership worked wonders for Cotto's career. Since training with Roach, the Puerto Rican strung a pair of stoppage, including a dominant victory against Sergio Martinez.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

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

Roach blasts Algieri for running

Freddie Roach was displeased that they saw a different Chris Algieri on Sunday.

The coach knew Algieri will try to hit and run against Manny Pacquiao just like he did against Ruslan Provodnikov, but wasn't expecting the American to run all throughout the fight.

"I was disappointed by Algieri. All he did was run. He didn't show the heart or the [expletive] he did versus Ruslan Provodnikov," Roach told Yahoo! Sports.

Nevertheless, Roach said they proved a point against the New York-based boxer, who was branded as a “master boxer” by his camp.

"The master boxer was given a master class by Professor Pacquiao," Roach said.

Pacquiao did chase Algieri, which resulted in six terrific knockdowns -- more than what Floyd Mayweather Jr. had in the past 10 years.

The eight-division boxing champion first knocked down Algieri via a three-punch combo in the second round, which was followed by two more in the sixth round. Pacquiao struck again with two knockdowns in the ninth and again in the 10th.

"Manny is the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao. That's really what it is. His style, he has so much experience. He's perfected fighting like Manny Pacquiao,” said Algieri, who suffered his first career defeat in 21 fights.

Prior the bout, Roach joked that he told his pupil not to hurt Algieri too much as it might scare away Mayweather.

“He’s scared of us now, and he’s going to be more scared of us after we destroy this guy. Mayweather, you know, show some balls and step up to the plate,” he said in ESPN.com.

He said Pacquiao wanted the Mayweather fight "so badly" he’s talking about it all the time.

“After seeing Floyd’s last couple fights, he wants him even more. He just wants to prove he’s the best fighter in the world, and he’ll take that zero and give [Floyd] his first one,” said Roach.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Roach isn't optimistic of Pacquiao-Floyd fight

MANILA, Philippines – More than ever, boxing promoter Bob Arum is positive that Manny Pacquiao will get to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. sometime in 2015.

The Top Rank Inc. CEO said he had conversations with CBS executive Leslie Moonves who reportedly had talks with his counterparts in HBO regarding the mega bout.

It looks like the TV networks are working it out to make sure that the fight gets done next year.

“I've had a number of meetings with the chairman of the board of CBS, Leslie Moonves and he's reported back to me about his meeting with Mayweather camp,” Arum told ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo.

“We're getting very, very close, I can't reveal anything, I am really optimistic that we'll get this fight done for first 6 months of 2015.”

“The optimism is justified because I'm not talking to some low level guy... I'm talking to the chairman of the board of CBS, whose had conversation with HBO... all signs for me, it's going to be a go.”

But Pacquiao’s coach is not so optimistic.

Freddie Roach said the bout should have happened a couple of years ago.

"I hope it's true, but I don't see it happening. I don't see it," Roach said in ESPN.com. "It's been three to four years. It should have happened by now. What makes it different this time?”

He added that Pacquiao is bound to hurt Chris Algieri this Sunday and this, he believe, will further scare Mayweather.

“If Manny looks good against Algieri, it will make Mayweather say no even more, so I just laugh at all this. Negotiating the money alone won't happen. They'll never agree on the split Mayweather wants. There's a lot of work to be done, and I don't think it's possible," said Roach.

Arum admitted that Mayweather will have to say “yes” for the multimillion-dollar bout to actually happen.

If it doesn’t push through, Arum said he will meet with Pacquiao’s team to discuss their next move.

“I hope the Mayweather fight does happen... that's the fight we've been looking at for 5 years so it's about time that we make it happen. I hope we make it happen for next year, if not I'll meet with Manny, Freddie and Michael and we'll figure out what we're gonna do,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Pacman' Pacquiao expected to gobble up Algieri

MANILA - A rejuvenated Manny Pacquiao will look to make short work of Chris Algieri Sunday to defend his World Boxing Organisation welterweight belt and raise his chances of a showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

Few believe the eight-weight world champion, oozing confidence and surrounded by a 300-plus entourage in Macau, will be seriously troubled by Algieri.

"Algieri will be overwhelmed by Manny's speed straight away," predicted Pacquiao's Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach on Friday. "Manny deep down really wants to win by a knockout."

His 30-year-old American opponent (20-0) is a capable and likeable former kickboxer from Long Island with a master's degree and an ambition to be a doctor.

In June, he got up from the canvas twice in the first round to shock Russia's formidable light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov and take the WBO belt on a split decision.

Now he says he wants to pull off an almighty upset and end the fabled career of the 36-year-old Filipino icon and congressman from Sarangani province.

"Manny's going to be put to sleep, go home and then retire," Algieri's trainer Tim Lane told reporters Friday.

The last man to make such a bold prediction was another American, Brandon Rios, at the same venue a year ago. Rios was then destroyed by a masterclass in boxing, speed, agility and power from "Pacman".

Pacquiao, who once described Algieri as just an "okay" fighter, remains dismissive of his challenge.

"I know my opponent is excited to win, but I won't let that happen," he said at the Venetian Macau venue.

"He's got a good jab, a good left hand," said Roach of Algieri. "But once we take that away he'll be lost. Manny's been exploding on me with the counter-punch. He's punching really hard."

Pacquiao, whose record stands 56-5-2 with 38 KOs, had a mixed build-up in which he made his professional basketball debut in the Philippines league last month.

But he says his intense training camp has helped him regain the aggression and power that put away world-class adversaries such as Oscar de La Hoya, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley in his younger days.

'Money' Mayweather

"Manny wanted to go back to the old workouts with more heavy bags, more strength, less mitts," said Roach. "He's punching a lot harder I feel and his punch rate has gone up."

Only by stopping Algieri will Pacquiao prove the fearsome "fighter of the decade" in the 2000s is back, two weeks before his 36th birthday.

If he does then a potential $1 billion megafight with Floyd "Money" Mayweather may become closer to reality next year.

Pacquiao and Algieri will fight for the WBO welterweight (147lb) title at a catchweight limit of 144lb.

A host of celebrities will be ringside as promoter Bob Arum aims to show Saturday night pay-per-view audiences in the United States that Chinese territory Macau is growing to rival Las Vegas as a fight venue.

Hollywood superstars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger have already confirmed they will be there. On the undercard they will see another screen star.

Chinese double Olympic gold medalist flyweight Zou Shiming (5-0, 1 KO) had a cameo role in the recent "Transformers 4" blockbuster movie and he will take on Thailand's Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym (27-0, 12 KOs) in a final eliminator for a world title shot.

Kwanpichit is an uncanny Pacquiao look-alike -- dubbed 'mini-Manny' by the media -- and Zou will be hoping that the similarity applies only to the Thai's looks and not his punching power.

Two other world title fights complete the pay-per-view card.

WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (2-1, 1 KO) and WBA super lightweight champion Jessie Vargas (25-0, 9 KOs) will defend their titles against Thailand's Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (52-1, 33 KOs) and Mexico's Antonio DeMarco (31-3-1, 23 KOs) respectively.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather doubtful, Garcia next for Pacman - Roach

Trainer Freddie Roach played down hopes of a Manny Pacquiao showdown with Floyd Mayweather and said unbeaten two-belt world champion Danny Garcia could be next for "Pacman" after he fights Chris Algieri on Sunday.

The drop to light welterweight (140lb) would be a further blow to prospects of a $1 billion megafight with the unbeaten Mayweather, whose last three contests have been at light middleweight (154lb).

Roach instead is targeting the impressive Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) who holds both the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association belts at light welterweight.

"I've been waiting three-and-a-half years for this (Mayweather) fight. I don't think it's going to happen," Roach told reporters on Friday at the Venetian Macau.

"(Promoter Bob) Arum says it might happen but can they deliver Mayweather? I don't think so," added the Hall of Fame trainer, who has guided "Pacman" since 2002.

"You know, if it was going to happen I think it would have happened by now. I want it to happen as badly as you guys."

Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Organization welterweight (147lb) crown on Sunday morning (Saturday night US time) against American Algieri at an agreed catchweight limit of 144lb.

"If Manny feels good in this fight at 144 then I think his next fight will be at 140 because he makes 140 very easily," said Roach.

"First fight back? Danny Garcia. That's my personal opinion."

The fear is that Sunday's clash with the largely unknown WBO light welterweight champion Algieri will not attract the lucrative pay-per-view figures in the United States of previous Pacquiao contests.

There is a dearth of truly world-class opponents in the 147lb division, making the explosive Garcia -- who has recorded fourth-round knockouts against both Britain's former world champion Amir Khan and Mexican great Erik Morales -- the most attractive alternative to the elusive Mayweather.

"Danny Garcia at 140, we'll go there," added Roach. "There are options out there. Mayweather's not everything.

"I think Manny's a better fighter at 140. He's faster and more explosive -- I think the knockouts will come back."

Roach hinted that Pacquiao could drop further, maybe back to lightweight (135lb) if the right opportunity came up.

"Yes he could make 135. He's been in the 130s a couple of times during training camp already," Roach revealed.

"When he gets a little too low in weight I send him home and tell him to have a good steak."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach, Buboy see easy fight for Pacquiao vs Algieri

MANILA, Philippines – Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach is anticipating a sensational performance from Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao when he faces off against American boxer Chris Algieri on November 23 at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

Pacquiao has been tabbed as the favorite to retain his WBO welterweight belt against Algieri, but the American has been the picture of confidence during the lead-up to the bout.

Algieri's height and reach are his greatest physical advantages over Pacquiao, but Roach is expecting his fighter to neutralize these fairly easily and quickly.

"When you have a reach advantage? How hard is that to take away?" said the trainer, as quoted by Boxing Scene. "If you have a boxer like Manny, that's not so difficult."

"Just because he's taller doesn't make him better. We're faster, better. We're going to take him to school," he guaranteed.

Assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, who was in charge of the early weeks of Pacquiao's training camp, is similarly confident that his longtime friend will have no trouble against Algieri.

"Asahan niyo na uuwi tayo ng maaga," said Fernandez ahead of Team Pacquiao's flight to Macau.

"Wala naman kasi 'yung height. Hindi problema 'yung height," added Fernandez, echoing Roach's sentiments. "Kung ikaw mismo na fighter, kulang ka sa training mo, doon ka matakot. Pero kung pataasan lang ng height, hindi tayo dapat matakot."

"Walang problema 'yan kahit matangkad 'yung kalaba. Sa aking, lang tatamaan at tatamaan," he added.

Pacquiao's strength and conditioning trainer, Justine Fortune, said the "Pacman" was in fantastic shape already and the only concern now was maintaining that and not over-training.

"He's in a hundred percent shape. He's ready for the fight," said Fortune. "He's in great shape for the fight, because we'll have to chase (Algieri) all night."

Pacquiao's team is anticipating that Algieri will run from Pacquiao once he feels the Filipino boxer's power, and both Roach and Fortune have warned that if Algieri chooses to stand and trade instead, then he will kiss the canvas.

"Pacquiao will outscore him if he does run," said Roach. "But if he has any guts at all, and he wants to fight a little bit and go for the world title, I think we'll knock him out."

"If Algieri engages, he's knocked out, simple as that," said Fortune.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach to bring Algieri-like sparmates for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing coach Freddie Roach will be arriving in the Philippines on Wednesday to prepare Manny Pacquiao for his title defense against tall undefeated boxer Chris Algieri in November.

Roach will be bringing along two tall fighters who are in the mold of Algieri, according to Ronnie Nathanielsz in a report on Philboxing.

Stan “The Man” Martyniouk, an Estonian native, stands 5-foot-10, while Ukrainian Viktor Postol towers at 5-foot-11.

They are expected to mimic Algieri’s style to give Pacquiao a feel of what he will be up against on November 23.

Both boxers have good credentials and are anticipated to test the eight-division champion.

Martyniouk, who recently sparred with Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, is a bronze medalist in the 2007 Golden Gloves championships. Postol, on the other hand, is the unbeaten WBC light welterweight Silver champion.

The two fighters will help Pacquiao prepare against Algieri, who stands at 5-foot-10 and implements a boxer-counterpuncher style.

Pacquiao is currently busy working on his conditioning, which will be very important come fight time, according to strength coach Justine Fortune.

"As far as his condition, he's in shape," Fortune said, while overseeing Pacquiao's training in General Santos City "He always maintains good condition because of his basketball, and he's always doing something."

"We'll be in shape, we'll be in great shape for Algieri," said Fortune. "We have to be, because Algieri will be in good shape. If anything, he's in great condition, so we'll be the same.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach compares Algieri to De La Hoya

American boxer Chris Algieri claims he is a different fighter than the other men that Filipino ring icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao has fought and beaten, and insists his style will pose problems for the former pound-for-pound king.

Algieri is the underdog against Pacquiao in their November 22 showdown for the WBO welterweight championship in Macau, despite his considerable size and reach advantage over the "Pacman."

"The physical advantages are obvious," Algieri told Tha Boxing Voice recently, but he quickly added that this would not be his only edge over Pacquiao.

"The biggest advantage that I don't think they have given a thought about is that I'm an athlete," he said. "I'm different than the other big guys that Manny has fought. I'm an athletic guy, and I am a smart guy in the way that I fight."

"I think of all these things that are going to play a huge role in this fight," he added.

Pacquiao made a name for himself by beating – and indeed dominating – much bigger opponents, including Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito.

Algieri is confident that his fight against Pacquiao will play out in a different way, however.

"Night and day in terms of styles," he said when comparing himself against the other "big men" that Pacquiao fought. "Those guys stand right in front of you, and will take three punches to land one."

"They have to be set and fight you and look to get into exchanges and scraps. I'm a master boxer. I'm going to be out there using my length and my size and my range and my foot work," he added.

Pacquiao's own trainer, Freddie Roach, had made a comparison between Algieri and De La Hoya in a separate interview with Tha Boxing Voice, and insisted that the former "Golden Boy" was a "much better fighter."

"Algieri is still young and he has a long way to go," said Roach. "They both have good left hands. Oscar was left-handed, and he had a great jab and a great hook."

"This guy (Algieri) has a good jab and his hook is okay, but he has some similarities. They are about the same height," he added.

Pacquiao thoroughly dominated De La Hoya when they fought in December 2008, battering the former world champion for eight rounds and forcing De La Hoya to quit on his stool before the start of the ninth round.

Against Algieri, Pacquiao will defend the WBO welterweight belt that he won from Timothy Bradley last April.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao dismisses Algieri threat in Macau

MACAU -- Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao on Monday dismissed his next opponent, undefeated American Chris Algieri, as merely an "okay" fighter as the build-up began to their upcoming contest.

Pacquiao (56-5-2) will put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title on the line against 30-year-old former kickboxer Algieri (20-0) on November 23 when the Filipino icon returns for his second fight in the southern Chinese gambling haven of Macau.

Despite Algieri wresting the WBO light welterweight title in a big upset against the tough Russian Ruslan Provodnikov in a controversial split decision in June, it was clear that Pacquiao does not feel his opponent can cause another shock.

"I saw his fight with Ruslan," Pacquiao told reporters at a press conference to announce the November card. "He took a lot of bad punches from Ruslan but he's tough.

"He can box. I'm not saying he's really good but he's not bad. He's okay," Pacquiao added.

Pacquiao and Algieri were in Macau on the first date of a whirlwind six-city promotional tour that will move on to Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said he had concerns over Algieri's height and reach -- he is 5-foot-10 compared to Pacquiao's diminutive 5-foot-6 -- but little else, believing that Provodnikov had beaten the New Yorker in June.

"It surprised me because I actually think Ruslan won that fight. (Algieri) got beat up a little bit," said Roach.

"Algieri has a good reach advantage and we're going to have to get past that and his jab. That will be our biggest problem. We have ways to do that."

Pacquiao admitted the lithe, athletic Algieri would be a different prospect to slower, but durable, Brandon Rios, whom 'Pac-Man' comprehensively outpointed in the same Cotai Arena venue in November last year.

"The biggest challenge for me is to fight another tall guy. I have to use my speed and footwork for this fight," said Pacquiao.

Algieri admitted he blundered in getting caught early in the fight against the Russian, but said he would learn from it.

"First round I made a mistake," said the New Yorker. "Paid for it for the next 11-and-a-half rounds. Got a little too aggressive too early against a very dangerous guy."

Meanwhile, Roach seemed a little worried by Pacquiao's many distractions out of the ring -- he is a politician and congressman, and also is embroiled with a long-running dispute with the Philippines tax man.

And now the latest extra-curricular activity is becoming player-coach for expansion team Kia Motors in the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA).

On Sunday Pacquiao, at 35, became the oldest player to be drafted in the PBA, when Kia picked him in 11th spot.

Roach said he just had to accept it, but that when it comes to the serious end of training for the next fight, he had made a deal with the hoops-mad Pacquiao.

"We came to an agreement that four weeks before a fight he will stop playing because of injuries. We negotiated that deal a long time ago.

"He's always busy. I don't think it's a problem."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach hides behind his illness, claims Ariza

MANILA, Philippines – Former Team Pacquiao member Alex Ariza took full responsibility for his role in the scuffle that occurred between trainer Freddie Roach and members of Brandon Rios’ team.

At the same time, he also accused the Hall-of-Fame trainer of hiding behind his illness.

Roach, the chief trainer of Manny Pacquiao who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, confronted Rios’ trainer, Robert Garcia, at a gym in Macau on Wednesday. The two wound up exchanging words, and Ariza eventually got involved.

A former strength and conditioning coach of Pacquiao, Ariza wound up kicking Roach in the chest and exchanging insults with him. The two were eventually separated, but Ariza was caught on video mocking Roach’s Parkinson’s and mimicking his stutter.

“I take responsibility for what I did 100%,” Ariza told Boxing Scene the next day. “I know what I said, and I know what I did. I can’t take it back. It was at the heat of the moment.”

Ariza reiterated what he had said in interviews following the incident – that he had acted in self-defense.

“I did what I did because he accosted me, he got close. I know Freddie Roach for six years, and I know he has a tendency to be aggressive. If he did it again, I’d do it again, too,” he said.

“There’s one thing that anger brings out, is the truth,” he added. “He (Roach) hides behind that whole Parkinson’s gig, not to demean Parkinson’s. He feels very threatened.”

“People gave me a lot of credit for Manny’s rise. It’s sad. It’s transparent. He’s at the end of the road, and this is his way of trying to hang on to what popularity he has,” Ariza said.

Roach fired Ariza from Team Pacquiao earlier this year, and the strength and conditioning trainer was subsequently hired by Garcia to work with Rios.

Pacquiao, who was not at the scene at the time of the altercation, called for calm when asked about the issue at a press conference.

“No trash-talking before the fight,” he said. “It’s not a good example for those who follow boxing.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach, Garcia, Ariza in scuffle in Macau gym

 Although there are still a couple of days to go before the big fight, the corner men of welterweight boxers Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios got the fireworks started early when they engaged in an altercation at the gym in the Venetian Hotel in Macau.

Freddie Roach, the trainer of Pacquiao, confronted his counterpart Robert Garcia at the gym Wednesday while the trainer of Rios was being interviewed by a Filipino reporter.

Elie Seckbach of ESNews was able to provide a video of the incident, which quickly escalated and resulted in Roach being pushed and mocked, as racial and homophobic slurs were exchanged.

Radio Rahim was also able to interview not only Roach and Garcia, but also Alex Ariza, who later got involved in the scuffle.

Roach was first seen in the background while Garcia was being interviewed. The Hall-of-Fame trainer eventually approached Garcia to ask him to leave the gym.

“We have the gym at 11 o’clock,” Roach said, to which Garcia replies “I ain’t going nowhere.”

Roach then repeatedly tried to get Garcia to leave, and Garcia can be heard saying: “I ain’t no piece of sh*t.”

Roach then dared the members of Team Rios to “throw me out,” as one person shouted at him to “Get the (expletive) out of here. This ain’t Wild Card (Roach’s gym in Los Angeles).”

At that point, Ariza, a former strength and condition trainer of Pacquiao who now works with Rios, entered the scuffle and Roach was seen being pushed back. Roach later revealed that Ariza kicked him in the chest.

Ariza can later be heard saying: “Mind you (expletive) business, you’re a (expletive) joke,” while also calling Roach a homophobic slur. He also repeatedly mocked Roach’s Parkinson’s disease, mimicking the trainer’s stutter while daring him to get inside the ring that was in the middle of the gym.

Meanwhile, Garcia lambasted Roach for his disrespect and claimed that Pacquiao’s trainer hurled a racial slur at one of his team members.

“Dude calls me a piece of sh*t. I admire what he’s done in boxing, and now he’s (expletive) calling me a piece of sh*t,” Garcia said. “Roach, now it’s personal, (expletive). (Expletive) you.”

“Hopefully you guys (the media) caught that. He (Roach) calls him a stupid Mexican, too,” Garcia said, pointing to a member of Team Rios.

Rios, meanwhile, stayed out of sight throughout the entire incident and was later seen running on the treadmill. His only comment was to say, “Oh, kill him,” after Roach left the scene.

Pacquiao was not in the gym at the time of the incident.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Wild Card Gym never the same without Pacman

LOS ANGELES – A couple of boxers, perhaps amateurs, were on the heavy bags, and another, who looked like a pro, sat on a wooden bench, wrapping his hands, legs spread, his back on the wall.

Others minded their own business. There must be a dozen boxers working out at the Wild Card Gym here on this sunny but cool Saturday afternoon. No one was inside the ring.

Somehow, the place looked empty.

The gym’s most famous client, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, was 7,000 miles away, training for a Nov. 24 fight against Brandon Rios in Macau.

Trainer Freddie Roach, who owns the gym, is in the Philippines with Pacquiao.

Pepper Roach wasn’t around either, and Rob Peters, the security officer, was nowhere in sight as well as Freddie’s assistant, Marie Spivey. Alex Ariza is no longer part of the team.

There was none of the old, familiar faces.

Roger “Speedy” Gonzales, a 28-6-0 fighter, now mans the desk, and welcomes people in.

Pacquiao’s absence is strongly felt because this close to a fight, he should be there working out, packing the gym, drawing all the attention.

People used to line up the metal stairs just to get a glimpse of Pacquiao, and Peters, a Red Sox diehard, had to shoo them away, politely. He closes the doors on them.

Fans would crowd the parking lot, flashing placards, seeking autographs or photographs with Pacquiao. One time, the LAPD had to draw the yellow line.

Hollywood celebrities would come to watch Pacquiao train. One day, Kobe Bryant stopped by.

Not this time.

The Manny Pacquiao merchandise store on the front side of the gray-walled property is gone. The new tenant said they took over the place four months ago and turned it into a nail spa.

Pacquiao’s favorite restaurant, Nat’s Thai Food, was near empty. The owner of the place, Tina, jumped on this scribe, and immediately asked how Pacquiao is doing.

The Filipino superstar loves Thai food, and over the last seven years or so, he would spend a couple of hours inside the restaurant after training.

Business in this Thai restaurant, known for its spicy chicken, deep-fried fish and crab rice, bloomed with Pacquiao who would spend as much as $700 a day for everybody’s meals.

But Pacquiao’s hasn’t been around since December last year when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez. The place had seen better days.

“We really miss him,” said Tina, who would close shop for a couple of days and take her entire family to Las Vegas or even Dallas to watch Pacquiao’s fights.

They all had become friends with Pacquiao. The walls inside this Thai restaurant are adorned with Pacquiao posters and pictures.

Tina knows that Pacquiao is doing his next fight in Macau, and said they were all wishing him the best. It’s the first time since 2006 that Pacquiao is fighting outside the United States.

During a conference call last Thursday, Pacquiao said it’s up to his promoter, Bob Arum, whether he’d fight in the US once more. Well, actually, it’s up to him. If he beats Rios, then the possibility is there. Or it may be all gone.

“I really don’t know yet,” said Pacquiao.

A lot of people are hoping and praying for that possibility.

“We will pray that he wins. We hope he fights here again. We really miss Pacquiao. We love him,” said Tina before heading back to the kitchen.

She kept her tears from falling.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Fortune won't be able to help Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao has tapped conditioning coach Justin Fortune to take the place of his former strength trainer Alex Ariza.

Unfortunately for Pacquiao, Fortune won’t be able to fly to the Philippines.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum told Philboxing’s Ronnie Nathanielsz that the Australian conditioning coach is having problems securing his visa.

“It looks like he won’t come not because he doesn’t want to come or people don’t want him to come because Freddie Roach wants him to come, it's just the problem of adjusting his visa which is a little complicated,” said Arum.

Pacquiao was looking forward to working with Fortune again after mending fences with boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

Fortune was the Filipino boxer’s former strength trainer before Ariza came into the picture.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com