‘Manny ready to go the full route’

LAS VEGAS — Revenge will be sweet.

These were the exact words of Freddie Roach when he and Manny Pacquiao generously faced mediamen, mostly foreign, before they staged a light workout at the IBA Gym here Tuesday morning.

Roach, who has trained Pacquiao since the Filipino banger started fighting here in the US in 2001, said he is confident that his ward has what it takes to stop Mexico’s Erik Morales this time.

"We fought a very poor fight the last time. And at the end of the fight, I really didn’t feel that we won," he said looking back to the Pacquiao-Morales battle last March at the MGM Grand.

The Mexican former three-time champion dealt Pacquiao a painful loss that time as he fought a much better fight en route to a unanimous decision.

"He was just the better fighter that time. So we’ll try to turn that around on Saturday. Again, we’re ready to go 12 rounds. A knockout (by Pacquiao) will only come as a bonus," he said.

"But I have no regrets over the last fight. We fought a hard fight. Manny is in the best shape I’d ever seen him. Revenge will be sweet," said the American trainer.

Facing the media, Pacquiao echoed his trainer’s confidence.

"I can’t wait to do the fight. Some people say the fight will start in the 12th round. I’m ready. I will do my best," said Pacquiao before breaking loose from the media for his two-hour workout. — Abac Cordero