Freddie Roach admitted he tried to simulate several dirty tactics in preparing Manny Pacquiao for his upcoming rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera.
In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Roach said making use of some rough methods might be the only way for Barrera to avenge his humiliating loss to Pacquiao nearly four years ago.
?I can?t figure out how Barrera is going to win this fight. He can?t outbox us, he can?t outpunch us, he can?t outslug us. I think he has a reputation of getting dirty,? said Roach.
Pacquiao will meet Barrera for the second time on October 6 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Roach said Pacquiao?s aggressive but methodical offensive approach will eventually force Barrera to resort to illegal attacks.
?I think Manny?s going to frustrate him. He?s going to resort to tactics of that nature. We just have to be ready in case that happens,? said Roach.
In their final press preview to Philippine media on Saturday held at the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque, Roach was evidently demonstrating to Pacquiao how an elbow and head is used illegally during a fight.
?It?s funny because I?m preparing him for what might happen, but I can?t ask him to foul back,? revealed Roach, who himself is a former pro boxer. ?Because I told him if the guy hits you low, hit him low, too. But Manny, he won?t foul, ever. Manny will not resort to do the same thing.?
In that scenario, Roach is still on tenterhooks but hopes the referee who will get the assignment will have control of the highly anticipated battle.
?If Barrera resorts to that tactic, basically, we?re hoping the referee will do his job and he will take charge of the fight,? said Roach.
As for his prediction, Roach has been consistent about another dominating performance by Pacquiao.
?I think we are going to win every round as it goes and will knock Barrera out somewhere along the way, but probably late in the fight, because Barrera is a tough guy,? said Roach.
?I want Manny to start quickly. I want him to start this fight where he ended the last one, and let Barrera remember that 11th round. Give him those shots to the head right away and don?t give him any confidence at all,? added Roach.
The 33-year-old Barrera is coming off a close 12-round verdict loss to compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez last month, also at the Mandalay Bay Arena.
But Barrera, who also lost his World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight crown in that fight, claimed he was robbed of a victory in his fight against Marquez.
?The people saw what really happened inside the ring. There is no doubt in everybody?s mind that I won that fight,? said Barrera in describing the outcome of the Marquez debacle.
Barrera (63-5-0, 42 knockouts) also has a score to settle with Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 knockouts) as the Mexican got an unforgettable 11-round beating from the Filipino back in November 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Despite his recent loss to Marquez, Barrera remains a fierce challenge for Pacquiao after compiling a 6-1 record since his 2003 defeat to the Filipino superstar.
Among Barrera?s victims in the post-Pacquiao-loss era were Erik Morales in a WBC title fight and American Olympian Rocky Juarez, whom the Mexico City native fighter decisioned twice in 2006.
Kyla, and not Ara
Kyla, and not Ara Mina, will sing the Philippine national anthem during Manny Pacquiao?s fight against Marco Antonio Barrera.
Solar Entertainment Corp., MP Promotions and television partner ?Kapuso? GMA 7 picked Kyla, the Philippines? R and B Pop Princess, to make sure the national anthem will be sang in the most professional way.
