Philippines, 07 Apr 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:

  • Unification next for Taduran?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • BEN WHITTAKER REPLACES INJURED CALLUM SMITH AS THE NEW MAIN EVENT FOR LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18 – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess phenom triumphs at Krefelder Osteropen 2026 chess tournament in Germany
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • ProBoxTV Travels to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, This Friday, April 10, as Hebert Conceicao Sousa Battles Power-Punching South American Johan Gonzalez in Middleweight Main Event
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Yokasta Valle vs Lourdes Juarez for WBC Female world championship?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio ties for 10th in Canberra chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Canelo Expected to Return on September 15 in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Ring Masters Championships 2026 Finals April 10 at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Jeffrey de Luna keep the Philippines alive in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-ball World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • NOTHING BUT SPORTZ PRESENTS GAMBOA & RIGONDEAUX — MAY 2 IN MIAMI ONE NIGHT. SAME CARD. HAVANA HEAT
    , Mon, 06 Apr 2026
  • Wilkens Mathieu Against Olympic Medallist Esquiva Falcao at the Théâtre Capitole of Quebec City on June 11!
    , Mon, 06 Apr 2026
  • National Master Jasper Faeldonia rules Romblon chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 06 Apr 2026
  • Twin wins for Pinoy boxers
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • NM Buto spearheads Goldland Chess Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • Andreas Cortes vs Eridson Garcia Tops Paramount Plus Card
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • Chris "Sandman" Thomas Back in the Win Column
    , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • Taduran Stops Pérez in 7, and “Still” IBF 105 Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • Pedro Taduran Scores Sensational Stoppage Over Gustavo PÉRez ÁLvarez in IBF Minimumweight World Championship Main Event
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • BROWN STOPS DUCAR TO LAND FIRST PRO TITLES
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • Guy Jutras, a gentleman and pilgrim of world boxing, passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio keeps Philippine flag alive, posts hard-earned win in Canberra chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS CONFIRMED FOR ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ UNDERCARD
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • MANSOUR AND BALLO MAKE WAVES WITH UNPRECEDENTED OPEN WORKOUT ABOARD CITY CRUISES ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER AHEAD OF SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • Rookie Kon Knueppel breaks Charlotte Hornets three points record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • IBA extends its global reach through a strategic partnership with Nomad Fighting premiering at IBA Nomad 14
    , Sat, 04 Apr 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.