HOLLYWOOD?For Freddie roach, victory is in the bag.
After watching prized ward Manny Pacquiao go through the motions with his sparmates on Saturday, Roach suddenly opened up.
Far from being cocky, he declared: ?I can?t see us losing this fight. All bases covered.?
Roach, of course, was referring to Pacquiao?s rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Well, Roach cannot be faulted for being confident that Pacquiao will emerge victorious in his quest for Marquez?s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown.
He has never seen Pacquiao train as long and as hard. He has never seen Pacquiao so focused on the task at hand. He has never seen him so disciplined and so driven.
In capsule, they have had an ideal training camp for Pacquiao-Marquez II. No hassles. No distractions.
That Pacquiao weighed 133 pounds during the World Boxing Council-mandated weigh-in Saturday further boosted Roach?s confidence.
Though he found Pacquiao?s six-round sparring?three each against unbeaten Juanito Garcia and lightweight Ramon Montano??boring,? Roach said he expected it because Pacquiao was tapering off.
?He?s a litle bit friendly with his sparmates today (Saturday),? said Roach. ?But it?s understandable.?
With the 130-lb limit well within reach, Roach said weight is no longer a concern.
?I just told him to watch his diet a little as he?s slowing down his work. Cut down on his intake.?
Roach, who turned 48 on Friday, bared that they have a Plan A and a Plan B with which to beat Marquez. He refused to divulge their strategies, though.
Pacquiao will again jog Sunday morning before going to church. He will attend a press conference with Marquez on Monday before winding up his training with four rounds of sparring.
Team Pacquiao and supporters will then travel by convoy to Las Vegas.
?They (Marquez camp) better be ready,? warned Roach.
