Maybe it’s just talk. Maybe it’s just talk to sell a fight. But word out of Manny Pacquiao’s camp isn’t exactly sparkling right now.
Promoter Bob Arum said recently that if the fight with Antonio Margarito were on Saturday, Margarito would win. Arum believes Pacquiao isn’t up to his usual level, or at least so he says. And while Philstar.com’s headline is “Roach: No worry, Manny will be ready,” there is plenty of worry in Roach’s quotes.
The trainer is seemingly worried about the level of sparring that Pacquiao has had thus far against Michael Medina and Glen Tapia, saying Pacquiao is going about “50 percent” in sparring and that his speed isn’t there yet. Roach is eager to get to Los Angeles where he will have Amir Khan and Vanes Martirosyan, among others, available to spar Pacquiao.
Road work has also been an issue so far, as Baguio City has been hit by Typhoon Megi, hampering Pacquiao’s ability to get crucial work done out of the gym. The team has left Baguio for Manila, and on Saturday will be heading to Los Angeles.
