To beat foe, Pinoy must go in for kill

LOS ANGELES–There’s no other way for Manny Pacquiao to cut this fight short but to attack.

"First thing to do? Attack. It’s in his blood," said Freddie Roach on the eve of the fight at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

"I hope we can get that jab out there right away," added Pacquiao’s American trainer. "We’ll set up that big left hand behind the jab."

The opening rounds, the first until the fourth, will be very crucial for Pacquiao because he doesn’t want to get dragged into a long fight against a tough opponent.

"Sa tingin ko tatamaan agad dahil mataas at hindi magalaw," said Lito Mondejar, who will carry Pacquiao’s "Ring Magazine" belt during the pre-fight introductions.

"Ayaw ni Manny ng mga mababang boxers na mahilig lumulubog," added Mondejar, an original member of Team Pacquiao and one of the country’s top fight promoters.

"We cannot afford to take risks. Kaya hanggang may opening, dapat bakbakan na. Baka kasi tayo pa ang maubusan kung tumagal ang laban," he added. — Abac Cordero