Philippines, 12 Jan 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:

  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 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.