World-renowned trainer Freddie Roach has already adopted a “No-Camera” policy at the Wild Card Gym as reigning Ring Magazine featherweight king Manny Pacquiao enters the final stages of his training, tapering off for the March 19 showdown with Erik “El Terrible” Morales.
While a huge media turnout was welcomed at the gym during the media day, Roach had advised visiting mediamen to turn off their cameras while the Filipino boxing icon sparred with Jose Armando Sta. Cruz.
Apparently, Roach is trying to neutralize whatever tactical lessons the Morales group can get from the Pacquiao training camp, as reports circulated over the internet that videotapes of Pacquiao sparring at the gym have been sold wantonly. This raised concern on Roach that one of those tapes might reach Morales’ camp.
“There’s too many people in my gym,” Roach told Fightnews, a leading boxing website.
Roach also informed the visiting mediamen that Pacquiao is currently at 129 pounds and has lost none of his speed at the higher weight. Pacquiao’s last sparring session will be on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
Team Pacquiao will then motor from L.A. to Las Vegas in anticipation of the big bout, while Erik Morales will be arriving in Las Vegas by jet from Mexico on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
Meanwhile, reports coming out of Mexico have indicated that Morales has been sparring with former world champ Johnny Tapia and is himself looking good and fast during sparring sessions. Tapia had been brought in to complement Victor Polo, who is also preparing for his bout with Juan Manuel Marquez.
