BAGUIO CITY, Philippines?Despite the disruptions in training, Freddie Roach is sticking to his prediction that Manny Pacquiao will stop Antonio Margarito when they clash for the vacant World Boxing Council super welterweight crown on Nov. 13 in Arlington, Texas.
And for his prophesy to come true, Roach intends to intensify Pacquiao?s training in the next two weeks.
?It would be a big week for sparring,? Roach told Manila-based sportswriters Monday. ?This week and next week, it would be the toughest two weeks coming up.?
The trainer insisted he hasn?t seen Pacquiao?s old speed in sparring.
?He?s already 100 percent with the mitts, but only 50 percent in sparring,? Roach said yesterday.
The plan, according to the four-time Trainer of the Year, is for Pacquiao to go down to Manila after today?s training and to spar on Thursday.
A workout has been scheduled for Friday, before Pacquiao spars again on Saturday afternoon. The team leaves that night for Los Angeles.
While Roach expressed satisfaction with Pacquiao?s sparring partners, Glen Tapia and Michael Medina, the boxing Hall of Famer said more sparmates with the same fighting style as Margarito will be available once they settle down at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
