Roach happy with Pacquiao’s training in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Despite having a distraction-filled training camp in General Santos City, Manny Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach was all smiles when he arrived in Los Angeles, California to oversee his pupil’s final stage of preparations for the third meeting with Timothy Bradley Jr. on April 10 (April 9 in the US).

After admitting that Pacquiao’s performance was less stellar in the first phase of training camp, Roach changed his tune, stating that they managed to meet their objectives.

“We had a great month in the Philippines. It was a great training camp. We got 3 more weeks here, and we have to carry on,” he said in an interview with Top Rank.

However, the 7-time “Trainer of the Year” recipient revealed that it took a while for Pacquiao to find his groove due to the long layoff. 

“It took a while to get going. But his timing and distance got better everyday,” Roach stated. “I am very happy with the results.” 

In the last 3 weeks of the program, Roach aims to set a higher level of intensity in sparring as Pacquiao is expected to train with Mexican-American prospects Frankie Gomez and Jose Carlos Ramirez. 

In a report from PhilBoxing.com, Roger “Haplas” Fernandez confided that Pacquiao has to catch up in the sparring department as the Filipino boxing icon only logged a total of 52 rounds before departing to the United States.

“There’s still a lack of sparring. Knowing this, we will be focusing more on the said training aspect for the remaining 3 weeks,” Fernandez said. 

When Roach was asked what to expect in the rubber match between Pacquiao and Bradley, he did not amend his stance and replied, “It will really be an exciting fight, and he (Pacquiao) is looking for a knockout.” 

Pacquiao and Roach kick off the most crucial part of the training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club on Tuesday, March 15 (Manila time). – Rappler.com