Philippines, 02 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PACQUIAO?S BODY SHOTS HURT SPARRING PARTNER


PhilBoxing.com


Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach is making no secret of his fight plan when Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao battles Oscar De La Hoya in their ?Dream Match? at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 6.

Wearing a body guard and placing a picture of De La Hoya may seem to some like a gimmick to hype the fight, but based on early reports from the Wild Card Gym, Roach needs to protect his body because that?s what Pacquiao is aiming for in the tried and tested axiom that when you kill the body the head will fall.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Roach said Pacquiao sparred four rounds with light middleweight Aaron ?The Energizer? Robinson (6-2-1, 4 KO?s) whom Roach described as a fighter whose ?style was a little bit awkward.?

Roach said he let Pacquiao go and when he ?went for the body shots the guy ran.?

Roach said he has lined up the biggest and the best sparring partners for Pacquiao beginning next week with Rashad Holloway who sparred with Pacquiao on Tuesday and said later he felt the power of Pacquiao?s body shots, light middleweight Yuri Foreman who is undefeated with a record of 25-0 with 8 knockouts who stands 5?11 and light welterweight Marvin ?Much Too Much? Cordova Jr who is also undefeated with a record of 20-0-1 including 11 knockouts.

Roach said that Holloway who approximates the style of De La Hoya ?is the best guy.? Roach said ?he is perfect and I?m saving him for next week.?

He said the statements by Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer who believes De La Hoya will win by a brutal knockout and trainer Ignacio ?Nacho? Beristain who claimed Pacquiao would return to the lightweight division where he is WBC champion after he gets badly beaten by ?The Golden Boy? doesn?t bother them.

Roach said ?we have no worries. Manny is very good, he is doing great and mentally he?s beautiful.?

There was word that Germany?s WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm, who lost a controversial decision to De La Hoya in June, 2004, may team-up with Roach as trainer and if that pushes through Sturm has said he would be happy to help in Pacquiao?s preparation.

Sturm is known for his excellent left jab which is also the hallmark of De La Hoya and should he work out with Pacquiao it is certain to be a big help.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Santig is IBF Promoter for Asia 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Jerusalem Arrives Early in Johannesburg Ahead of May 16 Title Defense
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Confirmed Mayhem: Casimero vs Nery June 6 in Japan! (Long Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Vicelles is OPBF light fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • WBC Commemorative belt ¨Tollan Tlatequi¨ at stake on Benavidez-Ramirez super fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Toro’s Talented Trio of Prospects Fighting in Mexico on May 15th
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • CONAH WALKER READY FOR AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST MIDLANDS RIVAL SAM EGGINGTON IN HIS HOMETOWN WOLVERHAMPTON – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • IBA.PRO Champions Night in Saint Petersburg postponed due to unforeseen circumstances
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • 20th Philippine Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Open on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • MELBOURNE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Vicelles Decisions Diaz, Claims OPBF 108-lb Belt in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Stars feted at Pacquiao/Elorde Awards Night
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Magramo banners Blow-By-Blow show
    , Wed, 29 Apr 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.