Other than Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, themselves, only Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach likely understands the mounting pressure as the May 2 mega-fight approaches. As a matter of fact, in a lot of ways, it?s appearing as though Roach is feeling more pressure than either of the actual fighters.
With Floyd and Manny pretty much locked away and focused on the rigorous preparation that goes along with such a fight, the Filipino icon?s long-time trainer is the one dealing with all the microphones in his face while being asked to perform a job duty that can be described as nearly impossible.
The pressure is fierce for Roach. He not only has to devise a strategy to beat the elusive, undefeated Mayweather, but he also has to teach and then inspire his star to adapt a completely new mindset for this fight. There is no doubt that Pacquiao is ?ready? for this fight, but sometimes there is a great disconnect between being mentally ready and mentally prepared. Pacquiao?s greatness and supreme confidence could actually make the learning process at this stage of the game even more difficult.
If Roach was not aware of this, he is now.
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For Freddie Roach, being the trainer to bring Mayweather his first professional defeat is the ultimate of all trophies and validations. This is the big one; The great white whale. Roach has invested so many years and so much talk into this moment and now the only things standing between him and the greatest glory of his career are time and his very own pupil, Manny Pacquiao. And this creates the possibility that Roach will be too heavy-handed in trying to ready Pacquiao for the coming challenge.
Even through the tightly-guarded information let loose from closed-door training sessions, there is already evidence that the pressure is starting to strain Roach?s good nature and resolve.
According to a report from Philstar, Roach was extremely displeased with a recent training session and uncharacteristically aired his grievance to the media that just happened to be on hand.
?I was just a little frustrated because I mean why with me it?s okay but when he gets in there with somebody else he completely changes,? Roach said. “I?m not gonna be nice to him. I?m gonna make him do what I want because that?s the way he can beat Mayweather…I don?t usually yell at him. I have a lot of respect for him but the thing is I just want him to know how important this is.
Other reports have indicated that Manny, at some level, is balking over the level of intensity during workouts and has taken the initiative to slow things down a bit.
A recent report from USA Today has Manny?s strength and conditioning coach, Justin Fortune, wondering aloud whether Pacquiao?s ?reluctance to train? is ?lethargy, tiredness from his grueling physical sessions, or something more serious.?
Yes, the pressure is indeed mounting as May 2 approaches and Freddie Roach has to be feeling it. But for the sake of his fighter, he will have to quickly learn to walk that line between ultimate preparation and deadly overkill. Manny Pacquiao is boxing royalty, but he is also a human being with limits and breaking points.
What do you think about Manny Pacquiao?s level of preparation and training so far? What will we see from him on May 2? Leave your comments below and please share this article with friends.
