Roach sure of KO win, bets house on Pacman

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach is betting his house that Manny Pacquiao will knock out Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“Ricky’s a tough guy, but we’ll knock him out. I’ll bet my house on it,” Roach told Lance Pugmire of the LA Times Wednesday.

Pacquiao staged a media workout at the Wild Card Gym that day, a non-sparring day, and did his normal three-hour routine.

Pacquiao is in his last few days of sparring, and Roach has added some spice by offering $1,000 to anyone who can knock Pacquiao down.

Since sparring began exactly a month ago, Pacquiao has thrown his weight around his sparring partners.

On the first day, he knocked down an undefeated Armenian boxer who also suffered a cut over his left eye. Two more sparring partners have suffered the same fate, being knocked down with head and body shots.

Pacquiao has been sparring lately with Urbano Antillon, Raymund Serrano, David Rodela and Mike Alvarado, the undefeated junior welterweight who has knocked out 18 of his 25 opponents.

But he has no luck against Pacquiao, and one week left in sparring it seems that Roach will keep his $1,000 in his pocket.

“This will be a quick fight,” Roach added of the 140-lb fight where Hatton’s IBO junior welterweight crown will be staked.

“Next week we will enter the toughest phase in my training and I will have to start dropping down in weight,” said Pacquiao who still moves around just a little under 150 lbs.

On Tuesday, Pacquiao will spar earlier than usual because he has to board a private plane that will take him to San Francisco where he will throw the ceremonial pitch in the Giants game against the San Diego Padres at the AT&T Park.

Bob Arum of Top Rank said it’s just another way of drumming up the coming fight. He said fight teasers will be all over the ballpark, in the scoreboards and the giant screens.

Pacquiao bobble-head dolls will be given away to fans.