Pacquiao has lost his killer instinct, says Roach

MANILA, Philippines – Once one of the most feared knockout punchers in the sport, Manny Pacquiao hasn’t finished an opponent inside the 12-round distance in six years. That fact hasn’t been lost on his trainer Freddie Roach, who has his theories about why Pacquiao has dialed back his attack in recent years. 

Speaking with FightHype at the Los Angeles media workout for his fighter Zou Shiming earlier this week, Roach says that there has been “good and bad” in the lifestyle changes the 36-year-old boxer has made. 

“He had a lot of bad habits and he had a lot of good habits. At one time maybe he gambled too much. I don’t like that because I don’t like my fighter to be broke at the end of his career. He drank a little too much. He definitely chased girls a little bit too much. 

“Maybe his testosterone level is lower also, that might be taking away from his killer instinct. 

“Does he have the killer instinct he once had? I have to answer honestly, I don’t think so. But he feels it’s enough to beat the person, you don’t have to kill them or knock them out. That’s kind of where we’re at right now and I think that’s what we have to live with.”

Roach, who has trained the General Santos City, Philippines native since he first came to the United States nearly 15 years ago, says that he felt Pacquiao was on the verge of putting Chris Algieri away in his last fight this past November before he pulled back and allowed the previously unbeaten New Yorker hear the final bell. 

“The thing is that he’s so explosive though that when he hurts somebody, I think his natural response is to finish him. But that hasn’t happened for a long time.”

Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 knockouts) will have to muster all of his testosterone and aggression if a proposed fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 KOs) materializes on May 2, as is anticipated. 

Numerous news outlets are reporting that negotiations have concluded and that all is remaining is the official announcement, which will come from the Mayweather-endorsed app Shots. 

Roach, in a separate video, said he felt Mayweather being heckled at a Los Angeles Clippers, with fans chanting “We want Pacquiao!” in late January, compelled Mayweather to confront Pacquiao at a Miami Heat game later that month and begin work hammering out a deal.

“I think it was all planned. To me it was all good because getting them two together is how this fight’s going to be made.”

Still, Roach seemed concerned about Pacquiao’s passive in-ring temperament being a detriment in a fight with Mayweather. 

“If he hurts him, it could get in the way, yes.” – Rappler.com