Roach longs for Christmas in Boracay

DALLAS – Is Freddie Roach so sure of a Manny Pacquiao victory over Antonio Margarito that he’s already looking forward to his Christmas vacation?

Well, it sounds just like that.

Boxing’s hottest trainer today said he’s already looking forward to a visit to the Philippines in December to grace Pacquiao’s 32nd birthday in Sarangani.

Then he said it’s time for him to visit Boracay, probably his favorite place outside the United States.

“Manny will have his birthday party and from his birthday party I  might go right to Boracay. I love Boracay. I had a great time there the last time (2007),” said Roach.

But before he gets to vacation, Roach has Pacquiao’s fight with Margarito this coming Saturday at the Cowboys Stadium here.

Then he has the Dec. 4 fight of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and the Dec. 11 bout of Amir Khan, whom he trains.

Chavez faces Alfonso Gomez in Anaheim, California, for the WBC silver middleweight title, while Khan will try to defend his WBA junior welterweight crown against Marcos Rene Maidana at Mandalay Bay.

“Boracay sounds good because I need a break,” said Roach, adding that he has a standing invitation from Cris Aquino, Pacquiao’s close friend, to the latter’s famous West Cove Resort in the island paradise.

Aquino is the perennial flag bearer in Pacquiao fights here in the US, but for this one the bubbly businessman has begged off due to personal reasons.

“My last fight (this year) will be on Dec. 11 and after that, I will take the rest of the year off. I might go somewhere, so you guys might not see me,” said Roach.

“Maybe I’ll send you a postcard from Boracay.”

And he looked serious.