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

Pacquiao may retire if Bradley wins again

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is in a “must-win” situation, according to Hall-of-Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach, with less than a week to go before taking on unbeaten American Timothy Bradley Jr. in a rematch.

Pacquiao controversially lost to Bradley when they first fought in June 2012, and will be the challenger when he steps into the ring on April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“This is a must-win situation on Saturday night,” Roach told Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph.

“If we don’t win this fight, we have to consider maybe retirement,” he admitted.

Pacquiao has been facing questions about his boxing future since December 2012, when he was shockingly knocked out by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez, just months after he lost to Bradley.

He rebounded with a masterful performance against the overmatched Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in November 2013, but Roach acknowledged that there are still those who doubt that the Filipino remains an elite fighter.

“This is a big, big fight for him,” he said. “We are in a must-win situation, it’s as simple as that. Some people think we are all done, and we have to prove that we are not.”

On Monday, Pacquiao said on ANC’s “Headstart” that he still has something left to prove and insisted that he alone will decide on his retirement.

“(Kailangan) patunayan na hindi pa tapos ‘yung career natin,” said Pacquiao, who for a time was the pound-for-pound king of boxing.

“Ayokong mag-retiro ng maaga, tapos babalik ako later on. Gusto ko, sulit. Pag retiro, retiro na, wala ng balikan. Ako naman ang magsasabi na ‘I think I have to hang up my gloves,’” said the Filipino idol.

Pacquiao insisted that he does not yet feel the need to retire, as he is still hungry to compete and still looks forward to the daily grind of training.

“Training lang naman ang capital ng boxing. Kapag dumating ang time na medyo tamarin ka na, eh medyo mag-isip-isip ka na,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao must prove he is better than Bradley

Hall-of-Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach is convinced that his prized ward, Manny Pacquiao, won his June 2012 showdown against American Timothy Bradley Jr. but is open to a rematch so that the “Pacman” can avenge his controversial loss.

It has been widely reported that Pacquiao and Bradley will face off again in April, although Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum has since clarified that they are still working on finalizing the terms of the deal.

Roach, speaking to Max Boxing, believes Pacquiao can continue the career revival that he began last December should a fight against Bradley push through.

“It looks like Bradley might be in the picture,” said Roach. “Sometimes, you have to avenge your losses. Even though I felt we won that fight, it’s still a loss in the records.”

Bradley infamously defeated Pacquiao via split decision when they fought in June 2012, even with the Filipino boxer seemingly winning decisively.

“I still think Manny needs to prove he is the better fighter,” said Roach. “They are talking about that next. It’s a tough fight. (Bradley) is still one of the toughest fights out there.”

But Pacquiao, who snapped a two-fight losing streak by demolishing Brandon Rios last November, can gain his revenge on Bradley if he dedicates himself the way he did against Rios.

“If Manny fights how he did in his last fight, I think he will do very well,” Roach said.

Roach was very impressed with Pacquiao’s performance against Rios, wherein the Filipino fighter showed no ill-effects from the knockout he suffered at the hands of rival Juan Manuel Marquez the year before.

Against the slow-footed Rios, Pacquiao showcased his impressive footwork and speed, barely taking punishment on his way to a wide decision victory.

“He fought a smart fight,” Roach said of Pacquiao. “I was really happy about that. He fought a very intelligent fight and I thought he won every round.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com