Walang nakikitang problema si American trainer Freddie Roach kaugnay sa kondisyon ngayon ni Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao halos dalawang linggo bago ang kanilang re-match ni Mexican boxing great Marco Antonio Barrera.
Kahapon ay nasa hustong porma ang 28-anyos na si Pacquiao matapos dumaan sa 13 rounds ng punch mitts at inaasahang titimbang ng 130 pounds isang linggo bago ang kanilang re-match ni Barrera sa Oktubre 6 sa Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
“He’s perfect right now, he’s right where he needs to be,” ani Roach. “We had a good run this morning, he ran 44 minutes up hill, and tomorrow we will run the flats. Manny is looking great.”
Umabot sa 112 ang sparring rounds na ginawa ni Pacquiao sa RWS Boxing Gym sa Cebu City bago tumulak patungong Wild Card Boxing Gym ni Roach sa Los Angeles, California noong Sabado ng gabi.
Kasalukuyan ring nasa maigting na prepa-rasyon ang 33-anyos na si Barrera, ang dating World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion, sa kanyang training camp sa Guadalajara, Mexico City.
Ayon kay Roach, mas mabangis na Pac-quiao ang makakatagpo ni Barrera kumpara sa kanilang unang pagkikita noong Nobyembre ng 2003 sa Alamodome sa San Antonio, Texas.
“Yes, they will see a better Pacquiao. We are working on some moves, you know at first they said that all he had was a left hand, so we developed a right. Then they said that all he has is speed, but can’t box, so we worked on his boxing ability. He is a much more complete fighter,” ani Roach.
Pinasuko ni Pac-quiao, ang kasalukuyang WBC International titlist, si Barrera sa 11th round ng kanilang ”People’s Featherweight Championship” noong Nobyembre ng 2003.
“Manny is a much better fighter than he was the first time we fought him,” dagdag ni Roach. “Manny at this point is much better, he’s stronger, he punches harder, and he’s faster. I believe we will knock out Barrera before 12 rounds.” (Russell Cadayona)