Roach wants Algieri out in Round 1

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao needs no more than three minutes in order to dispose of Chris Algieri. And he can do right after the opening bell.

A confident Freddie Roach made the bold prediction as they wrapped up training in General Santos City over the weekend, armed and ready for Sunday’s clash at the Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao.

“Manny only needs one round to keep his crown,” the bespectacled trainer told veteran scribe Eddie Alinea after a sparring session between Pacquiao and lightweight Stan Martyniouk.

Team Pacquiao flies to Macau Monday, an entourage of about 200 tagging along with them on board two AirAsia chartered planes. The fighting congressman is expected to undergo light workouts in the vibrant gambling city leading to the bout.

Roach, for his part, earlier predicted Pacquiao will stop the unbeaten Algieri. But his latest assessment that his ward can do it in the opening round comes as a surprise given how tough the New Yorker is.

The multi-awarded cornerman must’ve seen something during the course of their preparation to arrive at such conclusion.  

“I’m very happy with the way the camp went the past two months,” Roach stressed.

“This is the one of the best camp we’ve held. Better than, say, Manny’s previous eight fights or so,” he added.

It’s been a long while since Pacquiao knocked an opponent out, and Roach wants that drought to end against Algieri. The Filipino icon had bloodied Martyniouk’s nose during one session and even floored his American sparmate – indications that Pacquiao has regained his deadly form.

Roach liked what he saw in Pacquiao and couldn’t wait for Sunday’s result.

“Credit should go to Manny, too, for his work ethics, sincerity and determination in following the training regimen we crafted for him,” he said.

“That he endured the rigor and toughness of what he went through meant he’s back to the days when he was knocking out everybody that crossed his path, including opponents much, bigger than him.” – Dino Maragay