Philippines, 30 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MANNY IS GETTING MORE AGGRESSIVE SAYS ROACH


PhilBoxing.com



Pacquiao does the mitts with Roach Monday in LA.

Manny Pacquiao trained assiduously for the July 20 WBA unification match with Keith Thurman under comebacking full-time trainer Freddie Roach at his world famous Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Roach believed that while Pacquiao's being a religious devotee had minimized his killer instinct, the eight division champion has developed his aggression.

* * *

"Manny's work ethic is great," Roach said. "He works hard, and is incredibly dedicated. But he doesn't have the killer instinct that he used to have. I think religion took that away from us. For a while he would tell me that he just needs to beat his opponents and not knock them out. But he doesn't say that any more. He's getting more aggressive."

* * *

Roach saw that his favorite fighter has turned out to be more aggressive in his last fight. "He was more aggressive in his last fight than I've seen him in years. I hope that continues into this fight. Because when Manny's aggressive he's a much better fighter," added the Hall of Fame trainer.

* * *

?Keith Thurman reminds me of the Cotto fight,? Pacquiao was quoted by Boxing Scene, referring to Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto. He is the first Puerto Rican boxer to win world titles in four weight classes. Pacquiao battered and stopped Cotto in the 12th round in November 2019.

* * *

As quoted by AFP, Pacquiao said Thurman?s trash talking remarks had fired up his training as the American promised to "crucify" him and send him to retirement. Pacquiao answered: "My response to him is we'll see. He is giving me more motivation and determination to work hard and prove that it's not true. I'm happy that he's saying that ... It gives me inspiration to focus and do the best that I can in the ring."

* * *

Thurman (29-0, 22KOs) has periods of inactivity in his reign as WBA" super" welterweight champion due to injuries, having fought just once each in 2016 winning by unanimous decision over Shawn Porter and in 2017, winning over Danny Garcia by split decision. He had no fight in 2018 but returned atop the ring last January of this year winning a 12-round majority decision over Josesito Lopez.

* * *

Thurman's coming match with Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39KOs) will be the undefeated fighter's first time in four years where he fought an interval of six months or less. Pacquiao also fought one week before Thurman?s victory over Lopez last January, where he crushed the challenger former four-division titlist Adrien Broner. Thurman will debut as a PPV headliner, while Pacquiao has done it several times in a storied boxing career.

* * *

Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece is the fifth non-American player to win MVP honors in the NBA. The others were Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria, Tim Duncan of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Steve Nash of Canada, and Dirk Nowitzki of Germany.

* * *

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the NBA MVP award a record six times. He also became the only player to win the MVP despite his team failing to enter the playoffs in the 1975?76 season. Bill Russell and Michael Jordan won the MVP five times, while Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James each won the award four times. Russell and James won the award four times in five seasons.

* * *

Moses Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson each won the award three times. Bob Pettit, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash and Stephen Curry have each won the award twice. Only two rookies became MVP, Chamberlain in the 1959?60 season and Wes Unseld in the 1968?69 season.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • ‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • 20 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Taguig boxing clinic starts
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Tank Davis could return later this year
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio to compete in Asean Sr chessfest in Singapore
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • ‘Not a Kid Anymore.’ Edward Vazquez Talks About How He’s Matured While Training to Face Daniel Lugo on ProBoxTV in Friday, June 5, Main Event
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Remulla, Ferrer, Matro to grace Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.