MANNY Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach predicted that the Filipino ring icon?s third encounter with legendary Mexican Erik ?El Terrible? Morales will be his toughest fight yet.
In an interview with well-known boxing writer Brad Cooney of Boxing Talk, Roach said Morales ?was going to bring everything to the table. He wants revenge and I do, too.?
Roach earlier blasted Morales for his big mouth and disparaging remarks about Pacquiao and the Filipino people. He said there were rumors that Morales was heavy and out of shape, but indicated he was sure the Mexican would ?do everything possible to take this third fight and we are going to do everything possible to take this third fight, too.?
The American trainer confirmed what he told Standard Today before leaving for Los Angeles after the Pacquiao-Oscar Larios fight, that the Filipino champ would be at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles 10 weeks before the Nov. 18 clash with Morales.
?We are not going to rush anything. We will take our time and start slowly and build a vase. Six weeks before the fight we will hit everything hard,? said Roach, who vowed that Pacquiao would be ?in the best shape he has ever been in for a fight because he was going to have to be in the best shape of his life for this fight. This is going to be the toughest fight of Manny?s life.?
Roach said they would go to Las Vegas earlier. Reiterating his belief that Morales III would be a tough fight, Roach said he planned to get new sparring partners for Pacquiao. He said he was not talking about just regular sparring partners, adding that he and Pacquiao were ?looking for contenders that are willing to give us some good, hard work.?
?We don?t want anyone who is washed up for Manny?s sparring, only the best. If you are a contender and want to help us get Manny ready for Morales, give me a call,? added Roach.
The celebrated coach said World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista was going to be ?the next star out of the Philippines.?
