By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
Trainer Freddie Roach spoke to FanHouse in this Q&A following Wednesday's open workout for the international media, the third day for Manny Pacquiao of preparation at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood since the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) king arrived in Los Angeles on Monday from Bagiuo City following weeks of work in his native Philippines.
Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts) is readying for a Nov. 13 main event at The Dallas Cowboys of an HBO pay per view televised, Top Rank Promotions WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) title clash opposite former titlist Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs), against whom he will pursue his eighth crown in as many weight divisions.
How was the first big media day at the Wild Card for Manny Pacquiao?
Freddie Roach: It was like another day at the office. We just sort of went through the motions. We showed them just a little bit. We just didn't do too much to give away our game plan.
What did Manny do today?
Not too much. We did eight rounds on the mitts, we hit the double-end bag, hit the speed bag, jumped some rope a little bit, did some shadow boxing. You know. Just a little short gym workout.
Normally, we do 12 or 13 rounds on the mitts. Today, we cut it in half. That's just because, like I said, we didn't want to give too much away.
Why is it always better for Manny to be at the Wild Card than it is for him to be in Baguio City of the Philippines for his last few days of training before a big fight?
There are so many fewer distractions. This is always where he prepares himself for the big fights. This is our home base. This is where his comfort zone is. This is where he knows that the fight is getting really close. This is where we always start to get the most serious.
This is where everything begins. Like I said, there are a lot less distractions here in Los Angeles. There are not as many officials and no politicians coming in to drag him out and stuff like that.
Do you think that for this camp, more than perhaps any other, has been bothered by more distractions than in the past?
Well, we had trouble getting focused. I mean, we worked hard, but we had a lot of distractions. We only had to miss one workout when the president of the Philippines wanted to see him.
With Manny being in Congress, I mean, you know, with Manny being a congressman, that's something that in his heart he really wants to be his best at it. We had a little trouble getting his focus.
But once we got back here in Los Angeles, you know, everything sort of fell back into place. Everything is back on schedule.
Over the next few days, do you anticipate that any of his sparring partners will include Amir Khan, Julio Cesar Chavez or Vanes Martirosyan or Glen Tapia?
Right now, we're using Rashaad Holloway, we have David Rodela, Ray Beltran, and, there was this one other kid from Detroit, but I forget his name right now. But Manny broke his nose yesterday, so he's out.
Have you seen any video or any pictures of Antonio Margarito, who apparently has a six-pack and reportedly appears to be in tremendous shape?
I mean, who gives a sh**. I mean, really? Who cares? I'm just trying to get my guy ready. He's getting ready for a world title fight. That's what he's supposed to be in, great shape. But I don't give a sh** what he does.
I don't care about Antonio Margarito. I don't care if he fights at 175 pounds. Who cares? I mean, he's getting ready for a world title fight. If he doesn't get ready, then he's a fool. That's what people do.
He's doing what he's supposed to do. The thing that I hear is that he's in great shape. But like I said before, he should be in shape for a world title fight.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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