Philippines, 12 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ROACH, FINKEL PREDICT KO WIN FOR PACQUIAO


PhilBoxing.com




Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach and former manager Shelly Finkel whose fighter Daniel Cervantes gave Filipino national treasure Manny Pacquiao and Roach something to think about when the young lightweight caught Pacquiao with several stinging right straights in sparring last week, both predict that Pacquiao will win by knockout in Sunday?s showdown with Mexican icon Marco Antonio Barrera.

Finkel told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today ?I cannot see it anyway but Manny stopping him (Barrera) probably within eight rounds.? The fight will be telecast by Solar Sports in cooperation with GMA 7.

Roach, speaking at the final news conference at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino where the fight will take place said ?Marco is a real game guy, but I do believe we?ll get it done before twelve.?

Roach conceded that it is going to be a tough fight but that the ?great training camp? both in Cebu City and in his own Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles helped Pacquiao get into one hundred percent shape for a fight billed as the ?Will to Win? but in the Viva Sports two-part, TV specials telecast on RPN 9 was titled ?Repeat or Revenge? in a reflection of confidence that Pacquiao would repeat his demolition of Barrera on November 15, 2003.

Roach made mention of the excuses put forward by the Barrera camp after his humiliating loss to Pacquiao when they claimed he was distracted by forest fires that forced him to transfer his training camp and by medical tests following allegations that he had a metal plate imbedded in his brain. Roach said ?I hope they don?t have any excuses this time? although in fairness to Barrera he conceded that he had a bad night and Pacquiao deservedly won.

Pacquiao was all smiles during the press conference in stark contrast to the serious look on Barrera?s face which seemed to signify his intensity and determination to ? as he warned ? shock the Philippines by beating a national idol.

Pacquiao speaking in what one reporter described as ?vastly improved English? said he was ?really excited about the fight. We will see whether Barrera was really distracted in the first fight.? As usual, Pacquiao said he would ?try and give a good fight? while noting that both he and Barrera are in 100 percent condition. Pacquiao concluded by saying ?this is for all the Filipinos and everyone who loves boxing.?

Chino Trinidad of GMA 7 and Solar Sports told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today in an overseas telephone conversation that Pacquiao was ?on very high spirits? as they prepared for some roadwork yesterday morning. Trinidad said that there was no way he could see Pacquiao being beaten considering the condition he was in. Trinidad joined the chorus of predictions that Pacquiao would put Barrera away after a few rounds.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 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.