Although the fight is set at 130 lbs, Freddie Roach said he doesn?t see Manny Pacquiao climbing the ring against Mexico?s Eric Morales on March 19 anywhere near the limit.
“We?ll just see where we?ll end up, but I predict we?ll probably come in about 127 or so,” said the accomplished American trainer in a recent interview over the internet.
Pacquiao, who?s been training in the US for almost two weeks now, recently tipped the scales at 133 lbs but will trim down closer to his previous fighting weight of 126 as the fight nears.
The multi-million-dollar fight is set at the magnificent MGM Grand in Las Vegas where tickets will sell as high as $400 and as low as $75. Pacquiao stands to receive $1.75 million (P98 million) here.
The Filipino ring sensation has fought his last two fights, the last of a 14-fight win streak, at 126 lbs and, according to Roach, should stay within that range.
Even if Morales stretches himself to the limit, Roach said it will be Pacquiao?s punching power ? and not his actual weight ? that will spell the difference in the pay-per-view bout.
“The guy?s (Morales) a little bit bigger, but Manny?s the bigger puncher for sure,” said Roach of the good-looking Mexican assassin who lost his last bout to compatriot Marco Antonio Barrera.
Roach is also not concerned with Morales? height.
“They just stood side by side. They?re the exact, same height. They say he?s 5?9 and if he?s 5?9 then I?m six feet. He a half inch taller (than Pacquiao) at most, so it?s not a problem,” he said.
“We?ll get Manny in the greatest shape we can. We?re going to have to fight a hard fight. We?re going to have to fight a fast-paced fight because Morales likes to fight at a slow pace.
“So we?re not going to let that happen. We?re going to be in great shape like we were for the Barrera fight and the (Juan Manuel) Marquez fight last May,” added Roach.
Even Pacquiao isn?t bothered by Morales? height advantage and, come fight night, a little edge in weight. He said he?s getting ready just the same.
“It?s because I?m motivated to fight the best in the 130 (junior lightweight) division,” he said.
