Pacquiao’s speed and footwork will be keys to victory, says Roach

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach, the longtime trainer of Manny Pacquiao, believes that the Filipino boxing icon should rely on his signature qualities as a fighter if he wants to get the job done against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 (May 3 in Manila).

Pacquiao’s busy pace played a pivotal role in his successful boxing career, capturing 12 world titles in eight weight classes.

“Footwork and speed have been two of Manny’s most important weapons in his career and will be hugely important against Floyd,” Roach told HBO.

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 the blueprint for defeating Mayweather is taking the sport’s reigning pound-for-pound king out of his comfort zone with the Filipino’s speed and aggressiveness.

“Manny will need both to dictate the pace and direction of the fight. The key to winning the fight is to take Floyd out of his comfort zone and Manny can only do that by fighting his fight, not Floyd’s,” he said.

Although Roach lauded Mayweather’s distinctive brand of defensive guile and ring generalship, he suggested that Pacquiao should position himself in angles to catch Mayweather with his power shots and combinations.

“Manny knows the best way to disrupt Floyd’s rhythm is by moving him around the ring, cutting off his escape routes and positioning him for his attacks,” he stated.

According to Roach, Pacquiao has become a matured pugilist inside the ring since suffering an excruciating knockout setback to Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012 as it was evident in his 12-round welterweight championship clash against Chris Algieri five months ago.

Pacquiao was seen gunning for a knockout versus Algieri as he dropped the previously unbeaten American boxer six times before cruising to a lopsided decision win.

“Manny has the fresher legs as he proved against a much younger Chris Algieri last November. Manny was on his toes for all 12 rounds. [That is] something Floyd hasn’t been able to do in years,” Roach shared. – Rappler.com