LOS ANGELES — Unknown to many, a Filipino couple now based here in Los Angeles has contacted Freddie Roach a couple of times, asking the American trainer to allow them to “hypnotize” Manny Pacquiao.
Raoch was both dumb-founded and amused.
“They said they wanted to hypnotize Manny and help him prepare for the fight,” said Roach, who was later convinced that it was not “the type of hypnotizing that you see on TV where you become a different person.”
The couple further explained that it was more like a psychological preparation that’s being practiced by some athletes in some other sports.
“At first I really thought it was funny,” Roach said.
Still, he didn’t give in.
“I know he’s just trying to help. But five days to the fight? We just can’t try something new,” he said, adding that Steve Collins, his former fighter, has tried the said method.
“Maybe it’s okay if you’re used to it, but not with Manny. Not too close to the fight. Then I told them ‘you hypnotize Manny and I’ll kill you,’” said Roach.
The amiable fellow was joking, of course.
