Freddie Roach wants long rest for Manny Pacquiao before next fight

LOS ANGELES — The future of Manny Pacquiao is hanging in the balance.

At around the same time Pacquiao was being feted during his arrival in Manila early Wednesday morning, his trainer Freddie Roach accommodated a handful of Filipino reporters at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, telling them that he’d rather see his No. 1 fighter rest than get back to the ring anytime soon.

Roach said he’d prefer that Pacquiao postpone his next fight to September.

“April or May is just too soon,” said Roach.

Pacquiao got knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez over the weekend in Las Vegas and it was the worst beating the soon-to-be 34-year-old future Hall of Famer had received in his 17-year career.

“I got to talk with Manny and we had a great conversation on what’s going to happen next and right now how he feels and we haven’t completely decided but we have a good idea,” said Roach.

“We are going to talk to (Top Rank head) Bob (Arum). Me, Manny and (adviser) Michael (Koncz) and me and Bob will sit down for the next decision. In my opinion, I believe he should get some rest. Don’t rush it.”

Roach said Marquez was losing the fight when he struck with his right hand on the overly-aggressive Pacquiao in the dying seconds of the sixth round.

Pacquiao fell as if somebody had hit his head with a baseball bat and he was motionless for about a minute, sending his corner in a frenzy.

Arum had earlier penciled an April fight for Pacquiao, but that was before Marquez posted his most impressive victory ever.

Pacquiao assured his fans in the Philippines that he will rebound strongly from the Marquez setback, saying the Mexican just got lucky and that he “will rise again.”

source: interaksyon.com

Pacquiao kicks off Wild Card training for Marquez on October 15

Manny Pacquiao won’t be showing up for training at the Wild Card in Hollywood until October 15, giving the Filipino star about seven weeks to rev up for his fourth match with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on December 8.

Pacquiao usually trains eight weeks for a big fight but even if he won’t be under the watchful eyes of Freddie Roach until the second week, Pacquiao is not taking Marquez for granted.

The last few days, Pacquiao has been spotted doing his morning roadwork in General Santos City and sweating it out at the gym owned by boxing patron Rey Golingan in the afternoon.

Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser, said they made a promise to Roach during the promotional tour weeks ago that Pacquiao will begin the first day of the grind on October 15.

With Pacquiao in the US for nearly two months, there will be instances when he will shoot a commercial for an American-owned company, Koncz said, stressing that he’ll make sure it won’t affect the boxer’s training.

Pacquiao, who turns 34 on December 17, is a 4-1 favorite over Marquez although most ringsiders are of the opinion that it’s a pick ‘em kind of matchup.

Marquez, 39, is already in the thick of training in Mexico City.

source: interaksyon.com

For Pacquiao, Sunday A Moment To Reflect

LOS ANGELES — Boxing took a backseat in Manny Pacquiao’s life on a Sunday that the Filipino fighter devoted fully to the enrichment of his religious transformation.

Less than a week before he faces Tim Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Pacquiao set aside his main profession to give way to attending Catholic services in the morning and a lengthy Bible preaching in the afternoon.

Pacquiao and wife Jinkee and their four kids went to mass and later heard the teachings of pastor Jeric Soriano in his apartment unit at the Palazzo and the boxer was particularly moved by Soriano’s remarks.

“Whoever controls your mind, controls your life,” said Soriano, son of the late actor Nestor De Villa, putting emphasis on positive thinking.

The bible study – attended by his US-based friends and supporters from the Philippines – was accompanied by lively music and singing.

Pacquiao said the preaching sessions will resume when he and his team arrive in Las Vegas as they take the 300-mile long journey after his last training and final sparring session on Monday at the Wild Card Boxing Club.

Trainer Freddie Roach has asked Pacquiao to report to the gym an hour earlier than usual so they could all be in Sin City before the clock strikes midnight.

Roach is lining up a four-round workout for Pacquiao possibly against Ruslan Provodnikov of Russia and the 52-year-old strategist said this will be par for the course.

Pacquiao will train until Thursday although it will be a light workout since Roach said everything’s been done during the past seven or so weeks starting in the Philippines in early-April.

source: mb.com.ph