BAGUIO City?Celebrated trainer-coach Freddie Roach allayed fears on reports that the leg injury Manny Pacquiao suffered two weeks ago while jogging near his residence in Sta. Rosa, Laguna had worsened.
?There is really nothing to worry about. Everything is under control,? Roach said.
?It might still be hurting, but I?m sure it?s not that serious as some people think,? Roach added after Pacquiao, who is gunning for an eighth title in as many divisions against Mexican Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Organization super-welterweight crown on Nov. 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas did not do his usual morning run for the third time since arriving here nine days ago.
The Filipino pound-for-pound king also canceled his roadwork last Saturday, but Roach said Pacquiao did not appear to be hurting when they did 14 rounds of the mitts later that day. Pacquiao also sparred with the lanky Michael Medina for four rounds.
?Yesterday (Monday), I gave him 16 rounds with the mitts and we ended up as if nothing serious was going on,? Roach said, adding he will still give the reigning WBO junior-welterweight champion the benefit of the doubt by allowing him to play basketball, which observers blame as the major reason why his (Pacquiao?s) leg continues to hurt.
Since setting foot here, Pacquiao and members of his team have been playing basketball almost nightly after training.
