“The key to Manny’s success in a fight is keeping himself in position. We have a gameplan and he will stick with it. Shane is the best fighter with speed and punching combinations that Manny has ever fought, but Manny’s going to beat him down the middle and with overhand rights followed by the left hook…I encourage Manny to knock out more of his opponents. I tell him that because there is more money in it for him if he knocks out his opponents,” stated world-class trainer Freddie Roach as he shared his thoughts about Saturday’s showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley during one final press conference just days before the bout. Check out what else he had to say.
FREDDIE ROACH
“Manny will be Shane’s toughest opponent. Shane cannot stay on his toes for long and move. From Day 1, Manny’s attitude for this training camp has been spectacular.
“Normally when he runs, we start out on the flats and work our way up to the hills. This time he started with the hills. His attitude has not changed since the first day.
“The key to Manny’s success in a fight is keeping himself in position. We have a gameplan and he will stick with it. Shane is the best fighter with speed and punching combinations that Manny has ever fought, but Manny’s going to beat him down the middle and with overhand rights followed by the left hook.
“I encourage Manny to knock out more of his opponents. I tell him that because there is more money in it for him if he knocks out his opponents. Too many times he makes friends with his opponents during a fight and he avoids knocking them out. He does just enough to win the rounds.
“When he was beating De La Hoya, he came back after a round and I knew De La Hoya was ready to go. I told Manny it was ‘your job to KO him.’ And I still believe that. It’s his job to KO his opponents when he can.
“Manny would have been perfect in the golden era of boxing — fighting twice a month in 15-round bouts. He’s better now and works harder than he ever has in his career.
“I have a great deal of respect for Naazim Richardson. He knows how to get through to his fighters.
“Manny’s message (of working hard, don’t give up) appeals personally to me. I didn’t give up with all my problems (Parkinson’s disease). You work through it, make the best of it. I chose this profession. I don’t resent what boxing did to me.”
