Roach says Morales tougher than Barrera

Boxing trainer Freddie Roach is convinced that Erik Morales is a harder fighter to beat than Marco Antonio Barrera and that’s why Manny Pacquiao will train at least 10 weeks for his rubber match against "El Terrible" at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

"It’s easier for Manny to beat Barrera because with Morales, he’ll be tough until it’s over," said Roach in a recent Star interview. "Morales fights with a lot of pride."

Pacquiao lost to Morales on points in their first bout but avenged the setback with a 10th round stoppage last January. He halted Barrera in the 11th round of their only fight in 2003.

Morales is more technically proficient than Barrera and is more intelligent. Because of his slick style, Morales is a more difficult target than Barrera who likes to engage and rarely backtracks.

But Pacquiao has shown the ability to outbox stylists and sluggers alike. With Roach guiding his maturing process, Pacquiao has developed into a well-rounded fighter whose potent two-fisted offense is now backed up by solid defense.

Roach, 46, said he limits the fighters in his care to give them his full attention. Pacquiao, no doubt, is his prized gem. He said he concentrates only on 11 fighters, including world champions James Toney, Israel Vazquez and Brian Viloria.

"I get calls every day in the gym asking if I could train this or that fighter," said Roach. "I was in Manila two weeks for the (Oscar) Larios fight and that’s unusually long for me to be away from the gym. Justin (Fortune) takes care of the gym (the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles) when I’m gone. We can’t be away together."

Roach said preparing for Larios was a challenge because since the fight was held in the morning, Pacquiao had to adjust his body clock in training.

"We woke up at 4 a.m. and went to the gym in the morning," said Roach. "Conditions were different because the fight was at 11 a.m. for prime time viewing in the US."

Roach laughed off speculation that Pacquiao was not in tip-top shape for Larios.

"Not fit?" said Roach. "Of course not. He was stronger than Larios in the end and even scored a knockdown in the last round. Manny dominated from the fifth round onwards and I can‘t believe two judges scored the 10th round for Larios who didn’t win a single round after the fifth. Manny wanted to entertain the crowd and I think it was an exciting, entertaining and all-action fight. Larios never backed off, kept coming forward and showed toughness."

Roach said Larios’ showing should earn him another good payday, lining him up as a credible opponent for the likes of Morales, Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Roach said if Pacquiao started strong, he would’ve knocked out Larios for sure. "Larios is a slow starter," said Roach. "I think Manny knew from the onset, he couldn’t be beaten by Larios."

Did Roach place a bet on the Larios fight? "No, I’m not a betting man," he replied. "I bet $50 on Miami to win the NBA championship and that’s all. Luckily, I won that bet."

Roach said Viloria is ready to fight challenger Omar Niño Romero in Las Vegas (Friday morning, Manila time) and the right hand he injured in beating Jose Antonio Aguirre last February is fully healed.