Philippines, 23 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ROACH WORKS ON NEW TACTICS


PhilBoxing.com




Trainer extraordinaire Freddie Roach and his treasured prize fighter Manny Pacquiao Thursday took their preparation for the rematch with Mexican icon Marco Antonio Barrera to another important phase - developing tactics, strategy and an arsenal of offensive weapons aimed at destroying Barrera one more time.

If the intensity in Pacquiao’s workouts after a brief setback with a bout of flu is any indication then Barrera, who was demolished in eleven rounds in their first encounter in San Antonio, Texas in November 2003, is likely to take an even worse beating.

Mexican sparring partner Raymund Beltran told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that compared to his workouts in preparation for the fights with Erik “El Terrible” Morales, Pacquiao “is stronger and smarter and has some better moves.” Beyond that Beltran said Manny “is more confident now and his defense is much better.”

After watching Roach teach Pacquiao some new tactics, Beltran predicted Barrera will last “maybe six or eight rounds because Barrera will try to box and move around.” However, Beltran figured Pacquiao will catch up with him and rounds “nine, ten and eleven, if it goes that long, will be even more dangerous for Barrera because he gets tired after eight rounds while Manny is stronger” due to his great conditioning.

Asked whether Pacquiao’s vaunted punching power is accentuated by his quickness Beltran said “no man, he really hits hard. Sometimes people say if you have speed and they can get you they’ll knock you out. Some guys have speed but they have no power at all. Manny’s got speed and he’s got power. That’s why he’s been knocking people out – Barrera, Morales and had Juan Manuel Marquez down three times in the first round. A lot of good fighters. He really has power.”

In a tribute to his grueling training regimen, Beltran said “he works so hard. He works a lot, too much. But that’s how he gets his conditioning.” He noted that Oscar De La Hoya and other great fighters train hard but in the ninth, tenth rounds they slow down but Manny is like a child he never loses his energy.”

In a long distance telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Roach was extremely pleased over the devastating right hook Pacquiao is developing saying “its working better all the time.” But that’s clearly not the only thing they are working on. We’ve watched Pacquiao slipping punches like never before and getting under the jab while ripping hooks to the body and side of the head with near blinding speed.

Pacquiao;s chief-of-staff Jake Joson branded the lengthy training session ”intense” with Pacquiao going nine rounds on the punch-mitts without a break in-between. He said Roach was introducing “new techniques which Manny learned imnmediately.”

As part of his conditioning routine Pacquiao threw punches while doing sit-ups and with the last traces of a cold having disappeared the Filipino ring idol looked in great shape and mentally focused and at ease.



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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ProBoxTV Goes Global This Saturday with Two Action-Packed International Events Broadcast Live on One Sensational Saturday
    , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Oleksandr Usyk Returns Against Unknown Boxer on RING/DAZN PPV
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Ayala Lardizabal stops Mama as IBA PRO 18 delivers dramatic night in Mexico City
    , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • MF PRO Launches U.S. Boxing Debut with “Pugilist Revolution” Featuring "H2O" Sylve vs. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in Southern California Showdown
    , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Dela Cerna fights Lastimosa on June 21 in Muntilupa
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Posts Another Seven-Win Day in Colombia
    , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Cavaliers 109-93 Behind Hart’s Postseason Career-High 26 in East Finals
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Rep. Barzaga invited in Bakbakan sa Putatan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Weights Set from San Jose: Amari Jones and Vincenzo Gualtieri Cleared for IBF Middleweight Eliminator
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Gilgeous-Alexander Back to MVP Form as Thunder Top Spurs 122-113 in West Game 2
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • IBA flag raised at the peak of Mount Everest following historic ascent
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Gustavo Trujillo Looks to Continue his Rise in the Heavyweight Division
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante rules 2026 Buffalo’s Pro Classic 1 Ball One Pocket Division
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures Eight More Victories on Day Three of 2026 Copa America
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 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.