LAS VEGAS – If getting knockouts is all that matters to Freddie Roach, he would’ve advised Manny Pacquiao to stay at a lower weight class.
Pacquiao fights at the welterweight division, which has a limit of 147 pounds, but Roach said he would prefer his prized ward to campaign at super lightweight (140 lbs) or even lightweight (135 lbs) and tear up the competition.
“Manny’s not a big puncher at 147 (lbs). His best fighting weight is at 140 and 135,” Pacquiao’s longtime cornerman told reporters during a roundtable session at the MGM Grand here.
Roach’s observation explains why Pacquiao hasn’t scored a knockout in almost six years, his last stoppage coming in 2009 when he battered Miguel Cotto for 12 rounds.
Pacquiao won succeeding bouts via decision, although he came close to ending his knockout slump until he himself got knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.
The Filipino icon again had the chance to break the spell when he decked Chris Algieri six times, but again failed to finish him off. Worth noting was the fact that Algieri was a super lightweight who moved up to face him.
For the rest of Pacquiao’s welterweight opponents, Roach said they are just too big for Pacquiao.
“By fight time, the guys he fights weigh 150 to 160 pounds. It’s difficult to knock those guys out,” the bespectacled trainer added.
But what Pacquiao lost in the punching power department, he gained financially
“It (move to welterweight) was a great move money wise,” said Roach, referring to Pacquiao’s fights with Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. which netted him record purses.
Additionally, Roach said Pacquiao used to hold back and become contented with lasting the distance
“He changed his style a little bit. He wasn’t as aggressive because he felt he could just outscore his opponents and not hurt them or knock them out,” he said.
Pacquiao is taking on Timothy Bradley again on Saturday – also at welterweight – but this time he is keen on going out with a bang
“He’s going to be aggressive this time,” said Roach.
