No promise of KO from Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is normally tight-lipped when asked to make a prediction.

Not even when his trainer, Freddie Roach, said a few days ago that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will get knocked out on May 2 at the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao would rather say he’d do his best and urge Mayweather to do the same.

In a recent interview, the 36-year-old Pacquiao said he has his game plan laid out. 

“I will use my left and right,” he said.

Even Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, has started to keep his cards close to his chest.

“I’m not going to say Manny’s going to knock Floyd out,” Koncz told The STAR when asked to comment on Roach’s statement.

The celebrated trainer told RingTV.com that Pacquiao has fresher legs than Mayweather. Then he went as far as predicting a knockout.

“I think Manny beats Floyd, breaks him down, and knocks him out before it’s over,” said Roach.

“In watching Floyd’s career, he’s definitely slowed down somewhat. Manny has also some, everyone ages. But I think Manny’s legs are fresher than Floyd’s,” Roach added.

Koncz joined Pacquiao in the trip to LA the other night, inside nine weeks ahead of the richest fight in boxing history.

Before Pacquiao left The Arena in San Juan after coaching his Kia team in the PBA, Koncz said they’re confident of just one thing.

“All I can say is that I’m confident Manny will win this fight,” said Koncz.

Pacquiao will report to the gym on Monday, the same day Mayweather should start training in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao arrived in LA yesterday morning (Manila time) and was met at the airport by the usual throng of friends and supporters and the media.

Except for an official press conference and some photo shoots, Pacquiao will spend most of his time in Los Angeles training.

On the side, however, Pacquiao will play basketball and enjoy the game of darts with his friends or read the bible at home.

Those behind the fight did away with the traditional press tour.

“None of that. We will only do two press conferences,” said Koncz. The first one will be held in a week or two and the second on fight week.

Koncz said there was no need for a press tour.

“I think this fight is in such magnitude reporters will always find something to write about and the fighters need to focus and train,” he said.

“We don’t want to spend a whole lot of money going to 10 different cities. That money can be put into the pot and have the two fighters risking their lives split it,” he added.