LAS VEGAS?Now, Freddie Roach is certain Manny Pacquiao isn?t eating too much.
After a light workout Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), Roach told his prized ward to step on the weighing scale.
Without hesitation, a sweaty Pacquiao did and the scale showed 132.5 pounds.
?I put him on the scales just to make sure,? said Roach.
The two-time Trainer of the Year was simply amazed that Pacquiao continued to lose excess baggage despite eating anything he fancies on the dining table of his suite at the five-hectare Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino here.
When Team Pacquiao?s 12-vehicle convoy hit this bright, glitzy city Monday night, the Filipino ring icon tipped the scales at 133.
?Your fighter (Pacquiao) is happy and he?s in great shape,? Roach told Manila sportswriters. ?We have a good workout (Tuesday) and he ran this morning (Wednesday).?
?He?s very happy. I can?t believe how relaxed he is,? said Roach, adding he?d never seen Pacquiao in such a jolly mood three days going into a big fight.
For Roach it?s an ominous sign that Pacquiao really believes there will be no hitches in his quest for the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown of Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15.
?I love where he?s at,? said Roach. ?I want him to be at an exact 130 (lb) on the official weigh-in (Friday).?
Earlier, Pacquiao also bared his intention to check in at 130 to exploit his natural weight advantage over Marquez, who is expected to come in at 128-129.
Roach said Pacquiao will still have dinner Wednesday, but there will be little rice and lots of fruits.
Another early morning run is scheduled at the UNLV oval on Thursday before Pacquiao wraps up his preparation for Pacquiao-Marquez II by hitting the mitts, shadow boxing and doing abdominal exercises in the afternoon.
Again, just to make sure, food and water intake will be cut to the minimum, according to Roach.
Then it?s on for the ?Unfinished Business? that started nearly four years ago when Pacquiao decked Marquez three times in the first round only to settle for a majority draw.
