LOS ANGELES ? Manny Pacquiao came late for training then left early but he still went all-out atop the ring which impressed trainer Freddie Roach with barely seven days to go before his historic fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.
?It was well worth it. He beat me up a little bit,? said Roach late in the afternoon.
Pacquiao normally arrives at the gym at around 2 p.m. This time, a busy Friday around Los Angeles, he came two hours late.
Because of an ongoing event, there was heavy traffic on the way to the Wild Card Gym, and Pacquiao had to kill time at home.
Some thought he wouldn?t come. But at around 4 p.m. he came. He hit the mitts with Roach and did the usual stuff.
Training was light and easy. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Once it was over, Pacquiao left the gym without talking to reporters. He did not sign a single glove for those who waited. He sped off in his convertible.
Roach then let mediamen in.
?He?s now in great shape and I don?t think he can get better right now. He was late today because there were traffic problems,? he said.
Besides, it?s time to taper off, just a week to the fight.
Pacquiao will spar Saturday, a couple of rounds or so, then takes a break Sunday for a visit to the church and lunch at a nearby Japanese restaurant.
?His power is unbelievable. His speed is unbelievable. I?ve never seen a better Manny Pacquiao than now,? said Roach.
The ex-fighter who just received his eighth Trainer of the Year award from the Boxing Writers Association of America had seen in all in this camp.
?We?re just staying loose,? he said.
Roach sat by the edge of the ring and leaned on the ropes as he spoke to reporters in front of him. He was asked what the first round would be like.
?Floyd put all those muscles for a reason and to use it. He will come out fast. And we?re ready. He?ll tell us what kind of fight we?re gonna have,? he said.
?If it?s a boring fight or a good fight. Is he gonna fight us or is he gonna run? Whatever they bring I?m ready for it. If they want a fight we?re a hundred percent ready for that,? Roach said.
A Filipino sportscaster then threw an unlikely question at Roach.
?You think people can still call him Pretty Boy after this fight?? was the question referring to the undefeated Mayweather.
?I don?t think so,? said Roach.
?I don?t think he?s pretty in the first place,? he added.
