LAS VEGAS — If Manny Pacquiao dots the Is and crosses the Ts, trainer Freddie Roach said there’s no way Erik “El Terrible” Morales will victimize the Filipino southpaw for the second time on Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack Center.
“If we fight correctly, then we can even score a knockout,” Roach told mediamen on Tuesday afternoon at the IBA Boxing Gym on Euclid Street. “We are ready to go 12 hard rounds.”
Roach said they’ve both come up with a strategy that would lessen the chance of Pacquiao and Morales clashing their heads like what happened last year when a hideous cut was opened on Pacquiao’s eyebrow due to an accidental headbutt in the fifth round.
The cut later played a big role in the outcome of the 12-rounder held at the MGM Grand.
Should Pacquiao execute the gameplan to the letter, which Roach thinks would happen, “revenge will be sweet on fight night.”
“This is the best physical shape Manny’s in and it’s going to be a whole lot different story,” added Roach.
Pacquiao, 27, who, according to oddsmakers are evenly matched with Morales, 29, a veteran of countless ring wars dating back to the late 1990s, also expressed excitement over the fact that there’s just a few days left before he is given the chance for redemption.
“I can’t wait no longer. I don’t like to predict, but what I can promise is a great fight for those who will come and watch the fight,” said Pacquiao, who is beginning to be more proficient in answering questions thrown in English. As if he has already figured in a bad fight.
