MANNY PACQUIAO’S American trainer Freddie Roach said yesterday that he doesn’t expect Jorge Solis to pull an upset win over his ward, saying the Filipino’s biggest rival is not the Mexican but himself.
Roach made the assessment after reviewing three films involving Pacquiao’s opponent and practically dismissed Solis’ abilities.
The fight is scheduled on April 14 in San Antonio, Texas.
Roach told The Bulletin yesterday he had just finished reviewing three fights of Solis that was given to him and that the Guadalajara native virtually poses no problems as long as Pacquiao gets in shape.
“It would all depend on what Manny’s shape will be in (for this fight),” said Roach, who had just returned from a promotional tour in major US cities to jazz up the Oscar dela Hoya versus Floyd Mayweather fight in Las Vegas on May 5.
Roach is also serving as De la Hoya’s trainer and will get nearly million for this job.
After viewing Solis on video, Roach was able to understand why the 27-year-old Mexican went unbeaten in 34 fights that includes 23 knockouts.
Roach also revealed that everything’s in place at the Wild Card for Pacquiao, whose training appears to be on and off owing to various commitments with candidates running in the May 14 elections.
“I have two tall sparring partners who fight like Solis,” said Roach, who heads to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday to hook up with De la Hoya.
Pacquiao plans to fly to Los Angeles on Tuesday night and by the time he shows up at the Wild Card, Roach would already be in the Caribbean and his right-hand man Justin Fortune will be on hand to meet Pacquiao.
Still, the invitation for Pacquiao to train alongside De La Hoya in Puerto Rico remains open, said Roach, who will also train Filipino standouts Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista and AJ Banal there in two weeks time.
While Roach will be absent during the buildup to the fight, he did not dismiss the possibility of working the corner of Pacquiao on fight night.
Since it’s going to be a relatively short flight to San Antonio from Puerto Rico, Roach said he will ask De La Hoya to allow him to be there.
“I think Oscar will agree,” said Roach, who celebrates his 47th birthday on Monday.
