Freddie Roach wants no less than Joe Chavez, the legendary cutman, to work Manny Pacquiao?s corner when the Filipino superstar faces Marco Antonio Barrera on Oct. 6. in Las Vegas.
?Yes, once again, Joe will be on our side,? said Roach of the old and tested cutman who has worked for Pacquiao thrice ? twice against Erik Morales and once against Hector Velasquez.
?He?s a great cutman that?s why we want him. We?ve worked with him before,? added the American trainer.
When Pacquio fought Morales the first time, it was Lenny de Jesus who worked on the Filipino?s nasty cut suffered in the fifth round. And he did a very good job helping Pacquiao last the distance.
Against Jorge Solis last April, it was Joe Souza who handled the cut, which Pacquiao suffered in the sixth round. Roach took on the role himself when Pacquiao faced Oscar Larios in Manila last year.
Chavez is the official cutman of Oscar dela Hoya. And he?s also one of the best wrappers, if not the best, in the business.
?I mold it to the hand. I use my imagination to think of ways to wrap a hand. I make changes. You have to protect their hands. You wouldn?t send a soldier to war with a dirty rifle,? Chavez once said.
Pacquiao wraps up his training in Cebu City today with a sparring session that, according to Roach, should last no more than 10 rounds. Then late in the afternoon, Team Pacquiao should be in Manila.
A press conference is scheduled Saturday morning at The Fort, and Pacquiao is expected to report on his training. By lunch time, he?d be at the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque for a brief workout.
Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles on Saturday evening for the final push, a one-week training at the Wild Card Gym, and a few more days at the IBA Gym in Las Vegas on the week of the fight.
