IT WILL be all over in six rounds or less.
Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao’s master tactician, made that prediction yesterday regarding the Filipino boxing hero’s fight against Mexican Oscar Larios on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Roach based his forecast from the way his ward shook off excess pounds and rust after a month-long training at his Wild Card gym in Hollywood.
“The match will not last the distance because it will be over in six rounds or less,” said Roach who flew in with Pacquiao yesterday morning.
Despite being still over the 130-lb limit, Pacquiao’s handlers are confident that he will make the weight when it’s time to tip the scales.
“Manny’s trainers would tell you pointblank what a boxer’s condition is, and they say that Manny is in really good shape,” Eric Pineda, business manager to Pacquiao, told the Inquirer in a phone interview.
To underline that confidence, Pacquiao shrugged off jet-lag and plunged into training at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila from noon to 2 p.m.
The people inside the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines gym at the RMSC stood in silence for the two hours the champ was there.
He forayed into a full workout, complete with speed ball, skip rope and abdominal exercises that featured his daily dose of 1,000 crunches.
“I know that Larios has what it takes to win, and being a former world champion I will not underestimate his capability,” said Pacquiao.
The champ’s wit and humor even came out when asked about Roach’s predictions.
“Six rounds? It’s scary if it lasts that long,” Pacquiao said half-jokingly.
Tomorrow, Pacquiao will spar with Russian Rustam Lugaev, whom he brought to the Philippines from Los Angeles.
