‘This is not a storybook…Pacquiao wants a knockout,’ says Roach

MANILA, Philippines – As his illustrious 21-year prizefighting run comes to a close, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao seeks a statement-making exit from the sport as he faces WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr in a rubber match on April 10 (April 9 in US).

Roach, who has been Pacquiao’s boxing coach since his title-winning performance against Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight belt in June 2001, revealed that his valued pupil aims for a storybook ending to his professional career by knocking out Bradley. 

“Manny told me that he will be looking for the knockout because he wants to knock Bradley out in this fight It’s the first time that he said that to me like in 10 years. It has been a long time,” Roach said in an interview with FightHype.com.

In his 57 wins, Pacquiao has tallied 38 knockouts, but he has not stopped an opponent in the ring since November 2009 when he routed Miguel Cotto via twelfth-round technical knockout. 

The 7-time “Trainer of the Year” awardee would like Pacquiao to leave no doubts in his third encounter with Bradley as the Pinoy southpaw is no stranger to controversial outcomes.

Boxing’s only 8-division world champion battled Juan Manuel Marquez on 4 occasions, with the first 3 meetings ending in divisive fashion.

Aside from his bouts with Marquez, Pacquiao came across another questionable outcome when he lost to Bradley via split decision in June 2012.

“I like it when he says stuff like that because that’s straight up my alley and that’s what I want him to do in this fight,” Roach stated.

Roach also shot down the notion that veteran trainer Teddy Atlas will make any difference in Bradley’s corner against Pacquiao.

Bradley acquired the services of Atlas to prepare him in his WBO welterweight title defense this past November that turned out to be successful as he defeated Brandon Rios by ninth-round stoppage.

Atlas, who has been working as a commentator for ESPN Boxing for more than a decade, had previously made his reputation as a tough disciplinarian who used strong language and emotional speeches to get the most out of underachieving pugilists like Michael Moorer and Shannon Briggs. 

“This is not a storybook. This is a fight,” Roach stressed. “I’ve done well with fighters. I’ve done well with bad attitudes. I can get them on the right track. I’ve been with like 33 world champions, but believe me I didn’t make all those champions. A lot of those fighters made me. I think the fighter makes the trainer.” – Rappler.com