Although he is not a gambler, nor does he espouse it, renowned trainer Freddie Roach has intimated he is ready to bet some money for Manny Pacquiao when the latter takes on Erik “El Terrible” Morales on March 19.
Roach, who confided that he has only bet twice in his life, informed that he is not afraid to bet the third time in Las Vegas, the world’s gambling capital, if only to prove to the world that indeed Pacquiao is in the best shape of his life.
When asked whether he would be willing to shell out some money on a probable KO win by Pacquiao, Roach said: “I haven’t made a bet yet. But I’m seriously considering it…Manny is so sharp. He’s focused and he will fight a much better fight than Marquez and you will see the type of Manny that fought against Barrera. I do think he can KO Morales.”
Asked whether Pacquiao has the potential to become a crossover star in the United States, Roach revealed that Pacquiao has been improving on his English, and that the Filipino superstar is an explosive fighter with great personality and Pacquiao “will catch on with American pretty soon.”
The renowned trainer also confided that should Morales opt to box, Pacquiao has already prepared for that, as he will use a lot of side-to-side movements and fight a smarter fight than Marquez.
Should Morales opt to gut it out with Pacquiao, Roach took a wide grin, and said that “anyone who exchanges with Manny is making a big mistake.”
Meanwhile, Erik Morales has informed that he is “ready to go to war” in an interview with Mexican media in Mexico City yesterday, where he watched his pal Jose Antonio Aguirre lose to Eric Ortiz for the WBC junior fly crown.
“I am going into the most important fight of my boxing career, I know what Pacquaio will bring – speed and power. I am prepared to dig in and fight the fight of my life,” a Top Rank presser said.
More than 200 fight fans watched in awe at the Nuevo Jordan gym in Mexico City where Morales put on the gloves and headgear and did six rounds before seven TV cameras and over two dozen fight writers. Morales went to the body for two rounds against undefeated Steven Luevano, one of three sparring partners at the gathering. “I’m ready to fight, go to war, I know the importance of this fight and I know what Pacquaio brings.”
Morales will arrive at the MGM Grand on Tuesday (Wednesday in the Philippines). He is slated to have a ‘Grand Arrival’ in the MGM lobby at approximately 5 pm local time.
