Roach wants Pacman off ropes; Manny told: Don?t get cornered

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines?Stay away from the ropes.

That?s the stern warning chief trainer Freddie Roach gave pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao yesterday during their mitts session at the Cooyesan Sports Complex here.

After watching eight tapes of Antonio Margarito?s previous fights Thursday night, Roach said it would be unsafe and unwise for Pacquiao to give the taller, bigger Mexican room to let loose three- to six-punch combinations.

What Roach wants is for Pacquiao to move in and out, or side to side, and catch the slower Margarito off-guard with jabs followed by power punches.

Pacquiao, who had some measure of success fighting on the ropes against Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey, initially wanted Margarito to corner him before springing the bait: a stunning torrent of punches.

But after Roach had shown Pacquiao fight clips of Margarito and explained the possibilities, the Filipino superstar heeded the Trainer of the Year?s advice.