Freddie Roach had for dinner at a popular Thai eatery on Wednesday (Thursday morning in Manila) after another hard day?s work at the Wild Card Boxing Club?
Believe it or not, Roach feasted mainly on something Mexican at the Nat?s Thai Restaurant just a few steps from where Manny Pacquiao trained several hours ago as a DVD of the third fight between Mexican archrivals Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales was being shown on a projection TV.
In that fight held in Nov. 2004, Barrera won by majority decision, upping his head-to-head clash with Morales at 2-1.
Roach was in the company of female Filipino-American fighter Anna “Hurricane” Julaton and a few assistants of his when two Manila-based scribes who are in town to cover Pacquiao?s rematch with Barrera on Oct. 6 in Las Vegas, joined him while he was dining on egg rolls, orange chicken, pork chops and steamed rice.
Roach appeared delighted to see the new arrivals and told them that Pacquiao is pumped up as evidenced by the result of their workout a few hours back.
“He?s just doing great. He won?t stop. I had to hold him back,” said Roach, excited that the 28-year-old Filipino is focused and determined to put on a show of force.
“We did 14 rounds with the mitts nonstop,” said Roach. “He just keeps on going and when I told him to stop and when I turned my back on him, ?he said let?s go.?”
Pacquiao spent most of his preparation for the Barrera rematch in the Philippines and there?ll be only three more sparring days remaining, including about three or four rounds on Monday.
“Then we will work out at the IBA Gym when we get to Vegas,” said Roach, who will be a part of the convoy of cars and SUVs that will leave for the 300-mile journey to Sin City at around 3-4 p.m. on Monday.
Pacquiao, who stopped Barrera in 11 rounds the first time they met in Nov. 2003 in Texas, remains the overwhelming favorite.
“We are not taking Barrera lightly, but Manny will be too much for him,” added Roach.
