Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ROACH PREDICTS KO WIN FOR PACQUIAO


PhilBoxing.com




GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? ?We?ll demolish him inside six rounds!?

This was what Hall of Famer Freddie Roach vowed will happen when his come backing Filipino ward Manny Pacquiao battles American Brandon ?Bam Bam? Rios on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Cotai Arena at the Venetian resort in Macau.

The 54-year-old four-time ?Trainer of the Year? honoree of the American Boxing Writers Association of America cited his prized student?s elongated 10-week preparations, Pacquiao?s longest camp since walking in at Roach?s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, on the way to collecting championships after championships ? 10 overall ? in eight weight divisions, including four lineal titles.

Roach said Pacquiao?s training staff that includes his assistants Buboy Fernandez, Marvin Somodio, Nonoy Neri, Roger Fernandez and conditioning coach Gavin MacMillan trained the eight-division champion to be ready to box ? box ? and box from the opening bell on until they see the Filipino ring hero remains standing anytime from round 1 to 6.

?I?ve never seen Manny trains this long and hard in our 12-year partnership,? Roach attested. ?Well, it?s because he had a long layoff since his last fight that requires an equally long camp.? ?When Manny steps into the ring, he?s well-prepared, razor-sharp as when he was still fighting for recognition, well motivated,? he assured. ?He?s very anxious to fight as early as when we ended our seventh week in the camp.?

?He told me then that he has already regained his sharpness, his strength, speed and agility reminiscent of his past fights against (Oscar DeLa Hoya) (Miguel) Cotto, (Antonio) Margarito and even Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera,? Roach said.

?Those, of course, are the things I like to hear and I am thankful it came directly from him,? Roach said smiling. ?At this point, I must say that Manny has recovered his confidence and do whatever he wants as in the old days. I see him knocking Rios out no later than six.?

?Rios is a tough guy, no doubt about it. But manny would be tougher, stronger and quicker. Watch him,? he said.

?Manny has definitely put the knockout (to arch nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez) behind him. Manny Pacquiao knows that the knockout is part of the sport. He realizes that if you aren?t able to handle the knockout you picked the wrong sport, he observe d. ?He is totally recovered and is brave as ever in the ring. Manny?s doing great.?

Thursday?s five-round sparring (two rounds against Filipino welterweight hopeful Dan Nazareno and two opposite Irish Liam Vaughan brought his total to 105 rounds. Another five rounds set today, Roach assessed would be enough to cap Pacquiao?s 10-week camp at the Pacman Wild Card Gym here on Monday.

?We don?t actually need to meet our target 150 rounds in this camp now,? Roach said. We?ll be concentrating on physical conditioning and stamina building regimen from here on till we set foot on Macau.?

?His timing is very good and I can?t ask for more. I think we?ve covered all angles as far as ring movements are concerned,? Roach intoned even as he heaped praises on his training group for a job well done.

Roach, too, had encouraging words on Macmillan, who he said has been providing what Pacquiao needs as far as recovering from a twin of horrendous defeats last year.

?Gavin has done his homework very well. Being a former athlete himself, he knows Manny?s problems and how to solve them,? he noted in reference to his former soccer player-turned conditioning expert. ?I think he helped a lot in allowing Manny forget what happened last year.?

?Gavin?s one of the best things that happened in the camp,? he said.

Monday?s regimen that will put the curtains down in the camp will just a light conditioning workout with MacMillan, punching the mitts and a visit to the heavy bag, double end and speed balls. Road activities had been reduced to the minimum since MacMillan?s arrival and was completely done away yesterday.

Team Pacquiao leaves General Santos afternoon of the same day direct to China?s and Asia?s premier gambling city.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 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.