Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao has refused to take a day off and insisted on doing roadwork on Sundays, according to trainer Freddie Roach because he knows he must prepare for a 12-round war when he and former super featherweight champion Erik ?El Terrible? Morales ?Bring it On? at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 19.
Both Roach and Pacquiao concede that Morales is a dangerous opponent, making it imperative for the Filipino champion Pacquiao to be in the best condition of his life and to fight a smart fight.
Roach told Viva Sports/Manila Standard that with the extra weeks available after the Feb. 26 rematch with World Boxing Association/International Boxing Federation champion Juan Manuel Marquez was called off, Pacquiao ?will get there.?
Pacquiao?s devastating punching power may have battered a succession of fighters, including legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, who he annihilated in 11 rounds in November 2003 and Marquez whom he decked three times in the first round last May but with Morales likely to come in at over 140 pounds on fight night, things may be different.
Pacquiao himself has admitted in a conversation with journalist Teddy Molina that he will ?not underestimate his (Morales?) power and I will not get too confident with my power.?
Roach, on the other hand, believes that while Pacquiao ?has the power to hurt Morales,? their strategy should be ?built for the long-term,? indicating he is getting the flamboyant Filipino southpaw ready to go 12 hard rounds and has recruited ideal sparring partners, who are heavier than Pacquiao and can approximate the style of Morales.
?We want to take the fight directly to Morales and if Manny finds a good shot, I?m positive he could knock him out,? said Roach.
Morales refuses to be awed by Pacquiao?s vaunted power and does not entertain the possibility of losing.
