Roach: Pacquiao needs to win every round vs Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach believes Manny Pacquiao should dominate Floyd Mayweather Jr. from start to finish in their long-awaited encounter on May 2 (May 3 in Manila) at the 16,800-seater MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Roach, who has been Pacquiao’s trainer since his title-winning performance against Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight belt in June 2001, revealed that the blueprint on defeating Mayweather is taking the unbeaten American boxer out of his comfort zone with the Filipino’s busy pace.

Pacquiao’s signature speed has been one of the key factors of his success in the sport, capturing 12 world titles in eight different weight classes.

“We have to dominate him in the first round and take him out of his comfort zone right away,” he said in an interview with Boxing Scene.

The seven-time BWAA “Trainer of the Year” stressed that Pacquiao has to win every round to secure a decisive victory over Mayweather.

Similar to in-ring tacticians such as Willie Pep, Wilfredo Benitez and Pernell Whitaker, Mayweather is likewise known for dictating the bout’s tempo with his distinctive and effective brand of defensive guile, utilizing his shoulder roll, high-guard and elbow block to get rid of the shots from his opponents.

“Our game plan is to win each round, one at a time,” Roach quipped.

READ: Roach: Mayweather can’t run, can’t hide

The 36-year-old Pacquiao is not new to controversial decisions in his 20-year prizefighting career.

Boxing’s only eight-division world champion battled Juan Manuel Marquez on four occasions, with the first three meetings concluding in divisive fashion.

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

Although he owns an impressive 47-fight undefeated streak, Mayweather also had a doubtful triumph in his professional record.

Many believed that Jose Luis Castillo defeated Mayweather when both men first met in April 2012.

Castillo had great success in the middle rounds as he managed to cut off the ring and used his body punches to wear down Mayweather, who became a stationary target due to a torn rotator cuff.

Despite the Mexican’s clear advantages numerically on the statistical sheet, Mayweather had his hand raised in success by unanimous decision.

Mayweather had the last laugh in a December 2002 rematch, where Castillo was overwhelmed by his opponent’s quick footwork and combinations.

During the mega-fight’s promotional press conference on Thursday, March 12 (Manila time), Roach did not mince his words as he wrapped up his comments with a blunt assessment of Pacquiao’s task.

“I love challenges. And this is the biggest challenge of my life. We’re fighting the best fighter in the world, and we’re going to kick his ass,” he stated. – Rappler.com