MANILA, Philippines – Boxing trainer Freddie Roach is getting more confident about Manny Pacquiao’s chances against Mexico’s Antonio Margarito, now that the Filipino champ is getting his “good ol’ speed” back.
After dropping a few pounds, Monday’s sparring session with his partners saw Pacquiao display his speed.
Roach said Pacquiao will surely get his punches on Margarito, especially when he throws them in combinations.
“I really believe it will be the right…it’s so strong now,” said the Hall of Famer coach.The American trainer has transformed the Filipino champion from a “one dimensional boxer," over-reliant on his powerful left hand, into a two-fisted fighter who can throw heavy bombs with his left and right hands.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum saw this two-fisted version of Pacquiao on Monday when the Filipino went through 10 rounds of sparring.
In one of those rounds, the hard-hitting Filipino busted the lip of training partner Glen Tapia to Arum’s approval.
'Old Pacquiao' will beat Margarito
Arum earlier said the "old Pacquiao" will defeat Margarito.
“The old Pacquiao would have no problem beating Antonio Margarito. He still has time to bring the old Pacquiao back when he is in LA,” he said in a report posted on Philboxing.com. (Click here for the related story)
Pacquiao had 4 rounds with Tapia, another 4 round with British champion Amir Khan, and 2 rounds with Mexican Michael Medina.
The Filipino has a shed few pounds, after having trouble with the timing of his punches following his weight gain, hence, the improved speed.
His conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, said their present training is geared toward getting back Pacquiao’s agility.
“Manny's getting bigger, I think he's starting to be a bit worried he's getting too big, so right now, I'm gonna focus on his speed and get him faster,” said Ariza.
Pacquiao said more improvements are coming after they decided to lessen the plyometric routines in their training.
“Bibilis pa tayo kasi babawasan namin ‘yung plyometrics, ‘yung pampalaki ng katawan at lakas. So focus kami ngayon on speed (We’re going to get faster because we’re lessening the plyometrics, which adds bulk and power. Our focus now is speed),” said the WBO welterweight champion.
In a separate report by Philstar.com, Roach said Pacquiao will step into the ring no heavier than 150 pounds.
“Again, he’s (Margarito) bigger but size don’t win fights. Skill does,” he said. “That’s what we’re going to do – weigh in and climb the ring at almost the same weight. Manny’s not going in there heavier than 150 because it might slow him down a bit.”
Pacquiao and Margarito will fight it out on November 13 (November 14 in Manila) for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title.
Although the contracted weight is at 151 pounds, the 5’1” Margarito has the edge in size and reach against the 7-division champion from the Philippines. – With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
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