'Manny can stay on the ropes'

DALLAS – Freddie Roach said Manny Pacquiao can spend some time on the ropes.

Because this time, it will happen for a reason, unlike when he did against Miguel Cotto last year.

“I told him if he wants to go the ropes we better work on a plan to counter the attack,” said Roach, recalling some moments during the Cotto fight where Pacquiao almost voluntarily took punches from the heavy Puerto Rican.

Roach said this time, Pacquiao can lean on the ropes, draw Margarito, force him to commit, and then throw the counter.

“It’ll be for a reason this time. If he goes to the ropes, it’s for the counter shot and we can knock him out with that counter shot,” said the four-time Trainer of the Year.

A possible scenario, he added, is Margarito throwing his left or right uppercuts while Pacquiao has his backs against the ropes.

“He steps out with his left foot to throw the right uppercut, and then he goes the other way he’s gonna throw the left uppercut,” he said.

It’s when Pacquiao can land a very good counter just as Margarito is about to throw some of his own.