IT seems Freddie Roach has imposed his will on two-time world champion Manny Pacquiao.
The world-renowned trainer has convinced Pacquiao to return to the United States next week and train at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood in preparation for his non-title fight against former WBC super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The southpaw from Gen. Santos City, who is set to leave on May 5, had wanted to forego training in the US, saying he could do it in Baguio City apparently so he can attend to several commitments. Asked about the issue during a news conference yesterday at the ABS-CBN studios, Pacquiao answered somewhat nebulously: “Napag-usapan na namin kagabi. Doon na ako magte-train.”
Roach had a more definite explanation.
“We need Manny to be in the best shape he can. A lot of people are thinking that we are taking this fight lightly, but no. This is an important fight, Larios is good, and we are not taking any chances,” said Roach, who planed in Thursday morning and immediately spoke with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, 27, will return to Manila two weeks before the fight with two still-to-be-determined foreign sparmates to help him continue training in Baguio.
“We’re gonna be in great shape,” Roach said.
The two fighters met face-to-face for the first time yesterday, but instead of a tension-filled atmosphere, the formal launch of the bout dubbed “Pacquiao-Larios Mano a Mano, Pilipinas Contra Mexico” turned out to be a sort of a made-for-television fight show. Pacquiao and Larios entered the studio through a walkway between the spectator gallery on to a boxing ring, complete with bass booming sounds and pyrotechnics very much like wrestling shows.
Pacquiao assured fans he will score another big win, although he refused to predict a knockout.
“Tingnan na lang natin sa July kung hanggang saan ang ibubuga nito,” said Pacquiao. “Ang mahirap kasi talaga ‘yung training. Madali na yung laban.”
After the Larios fight, Pacquiao is set to take on Erik “El Terible” Morales for the third time in September in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Filipino champion scored a 10th-round TKO over Morales in their second encounter last January.
