Freddie Roach came back from the Philippines happy with Manny Pacquiao?s performance against Oscar Larios on Saturday, but came back with something extra ? a case of the flu.
The heat, humidity, sweating and air conditioning played havoc on the down-to-earth trainer?s immune system and he?s battling a flu bug now, so he will not be in Roman Karmazin?s corner come Saturday night when the Russian steps in against Cory Spinks in St. Louis.
There were internet rumors that Karmazin and company weren?t interested in ponying up dough to have the experienced eye in the corner, but Roach isn?t quite sure where that comes from. ?Last fight I got paid a t-shirt,? he joked to TSS. ?Maybe it was a Russian one so it was expensive.?
That said, Roach thinks the Russian is too strong for Spinks, and will prevail in the battle of counterpunchers.
Will the fight be a stinker, Roach was asked?
?It could be tactical at first and someone will have to take the lead,? the trainer told us. ?I believe Roman will take the lead and he?ll take over with his strength. But with Spinks in his hometown you never know.?
Roach also gave Pacquiao high marks for his effort against the game Mexican Larios on Saturday, especially in the second half of the fight.
?The first five rounds he wasn?t in full gear, he was putting a show on for the people but from the sixth on he opened up,? Roach said.
There was a precarious spot in the third when Larios caught Pac Man on the ropes and the Filipino came back to the corner chastened, Roach said. ?You can?t be pulling straight back versus a lanky guy but that was just one punch,? he said. ?Overall it was a good show, good for the Philippines.?
(Email news tips to Michael Woods at [email protected])
