Freddie Roach yesterday said he?d take a Manny Pacquiao victory over Marco Antonio Barrera in any form ? by way of a quick knockout or a long, drawn-out decision.
?I do believe that we will get him somewhere along the way. It wouldn?t surprise me if we knock him out early,? said Roach as the big rematch draws closer and closer.
?Because I?m gonna have Manny, if I?ll have my way of course, to start very fast in this fight,? said the two-time Trainer of the Year who would, of course, opt for a knockout.
Pacquiao broke into worldwide prominence when he dealt Barrera the first and only knockout loss of his career in their 2003 showdown in San Antonio, Texas.
?I want him (Barrera) to remember the 11th round of the last fight right away. We?re gonna start quick. If we fight a fast pace, he wouldn?t last,? Roach hoped for.
Asked if he?d be disappointed with a decision, Roach said, ?It depends on how it goes I would say. I wouldn?t be too disappointed. But don?t say Barrera can?t pull it off though.?
At first, Roach sounded surprised when he said Pacquiao is a hundred percent ready.
?I thought that with all these movies and stuff he?d be distracted. But when he comes to the gym he really starts working. When he gets into that ring,? he works.
?And he?s light at around 132 pounds. Yeah, I think for a while it?s been the lightest Manny?s been to heading toward a fight. He?s got a great work ethic. Everything is a hundred percent,? he said.
Let?s get it on.
