Philippines, 27 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ROACH PREDICTS PACQUIAO WILL KO BARRERA AGAIN


PhilBoxing.com




Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach has predicted that Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao will knock out legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera once again when they meet in an eagerly awaited rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on October 6.

In an interview on the popular radio talk show hosted by award-winning journalist Pedro Fernandez, a former Golden Gloves champion, Roach said “if I get Manny in shape Manny will press him and he will knock him out again.”

In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Roach said he is arriving in Manila early Thursday morning along with newly crowned WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa who won the title with a stunning seventh round, one punch knockout over Jhonny Gonzales.

Roach conceded that Pacquiao inflicted a terrible beating on Barrera when he scored an eleventh round stoppage in their first meeting in November 2003 in San Antonio, Texas but that Barrera has shown a remarkable ability to come back from defeat as he did against Junior Jones and Erik “El Terrible” Morales besides losing a close fight to Juan Manuel Marquez.

Roach said Barrera has “revenge in sight and he hates that he lost to Manny and the way he lost to him and he wants to get back.” The two-time “Trainer of the Year” said that when he saw Barrera at the recent news conference in Los Angeles Barrera “seemed in pretty good shape already. He is taking this fight seriously.”

Boxing writer Marl Vester of boxingscene.com reported that Barrera is fully focused on the October 6 rematch and that when Pacquiao stopped him, the Filipino southpaw was simply the better man. Vester quoted Barrera as saying “Four years I waited for this fight. Manny Pacquiao won the first fight clean. It was a good night for him.”

Vester said Barrera is “looking to outbox Pacquiao but more than willing to brawl if the Filipino slugger makes it a dogfight.” Barrera himself said “If he wants a war I’ll go to war. I’ll do the best I can to give a very good fight to the people. This is my last big fight. I want to fight more, but this is my last big fight.”

Roach reiterated his claim that Pacquiao is “the most exciting fighter in the world today pound-for-pound” compared to Ring Magazine’s No. 1 Floyd Mayweather. He said Mayweather “is not a finisher . He’s not a complete fighter in my mind. He’s a great boxer but Pacquiao is getting better all the time – he boxes, he punches, he’s aggressive and he’s fun to watch.”


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.