Freddie Roach arriving with Manny Pacquiao to the MGM Grand (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
Speaking with Freddie Roach on Tuesday afternoon inside of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, it was easy to spot just how upbeat the six-time Trainer of the Year is heading into Manny Pacquiao’s April 12 rematch with Tim Bradley
Having trained Pacquiao for the better part of thirteen years, Roach was again able to get a perfect gauge on where his charge is with the match just days away.
“His discipline is very good,” Roach said, referencing his time observing Pacquiao both in his native General Santos City, Philippines as well as their final run in Los Angeles.
“His hunger,” Roach added. “I brought five sparring partners and they’re all giving me a little bit of what I want. I’m very happy where he’s at right now and I’m very anxious to get this guy out of our way.”
To say that there were some question marks surrounding Pacquiao after his brutal knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in December of 2012 is an understatement.
So chilling was the shot that put Pacquiao out that many wondered how he would perform in the wake of his first loss in 7 years.
The eight-division titlist’s return victory against Brandon Rios this past November was all Roach needed to see in order to know that Pacquiao had fully returned.
“I believe in my fighter,” said Roach. “I have the best fighter in the world. People think that because he got knocked out, he’s done. He came back and he learned something from that fight. The Brandon Rios fight, I thought he fought a great fight.”
It’s never an easy task going up against Bradley, as the Palm Springs native’s blend of superb conditioning, skill, and determination is always going to take work to overcome.
Still, Roach was sharp when commenting on his plan of attack come Saturday.
“Activity,” Roach stated. “A lot of activity,”
Bradley, as is always the case, has been full of bravado heading into the fight, from questioning Pacquiao’s killer instinct to claiming that there is no possible way he will lose the match if the scorecards are read.
Roach is far from concerned, however.
“Talk is talk,” Roach claimed. “It doesn’t mean nothing. We’ll see you in the ring.”
*** Want more from Camp Pacquiao? Please click the thumbnail for an exclusive look at sparring partner Lydell Rhodes’ time in Los Angeles…
“Photos from the Wild Card Boxing Club and other spots in Los Angeles as undefeated lightweight prospect Lydell Rhodes (19-0, 9 KO’s) enjoys his time as a chief sparring for eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
Check out the thumbnail on the left for an all-access look at Rhodes in training, running Griffith Park, chilling with Miguel Cotto, and more.”
*** FOR A BONUS VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com