by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Marco Antonio Barrera, the “Baby Faced Assassin” who is the reigning WBC super featherweight champion is the next target on Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao’s hit list according to trainer Freddie Roach whose masterful handling of Pacquiao has seen Pacquiao emerge as the most exciting and explosive fighter in the world today.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Roach said he was looking forward to “a tune-up fight and then possibly a rematch with Barrera” who was annihilated by Pacquiao in San Antonio, Texas in November 2003 when his brother Julio Barrera stepped into the ring and embraced Barrera who was getting the beating of his life, calling a halt to the massacre.
Barrera has said he wants a chance to avenge his defeat at the hands of Pacquiao claiming that in their first fight he had so many distractions that caused him to lose focus and the fight. However, while a March 25 date has been mentioned Roach indicated Pacquiao as well as Morales “need a nice long rest because it was a very physical fight for both men.”
Roach confirmed there was a rematch clause in the contract adding “if Morales wants it, he’ll get it. But quite honestly I don’t think he is gonna want one” because of the bad beating he suffered when he was knocked out for the first time in his illustrious career and the fact that he has a hard time making the 130 pound limit.
The celebrated trainer whose commitment and affection for Pacquiao has endeared him to millions of Filipinos who hero-worship Pacquiao admitted that Sunday’s battle was much harder than it looked and that in the early rounds 3-5 he was “worried for a little while because Morales looked stronger and stronger and hurt Manny a couple of times.” However, Roach said Pacquiao “came back quickly because he was in great shape but Morales got Manny a few times with some very good shots. He’s a strong puncher with a big right hand.”
Roach said the key to Pacquiao’s condition was “ kicking people out of the Wild Card Gym which definitely helped” in terms of Pacquiao’s ability to be completely focused while in training. Roach admitted “I made a mistake the last time by letting people come in. We learn from our mistakes and it won’t happen again.”
Pacquiao too learned from his mistakes according to his trainer. He noted that in the first fight with Morales last March 19 Pacquiao “got carried away. This time he followed my instructions” which included using his right hand more which he started developing in Davao City while training for the fight against Fahsan 3K Battery in December 2004 and nailing Morales with vicious body shots. Roach said “the fight hand is getting better all the time.”
Roach didn’t wish to dwell too much on the choice of Cleto Reyes gloves which Pacquiao couldn’t use in the first fight because he was tied down by a contractual stipulation that said both he and Morales would wear “Winning” gloves which are considered “pillows” in comparison to the Reyes gloves which are branded as “punchers gloves.” All Roach said was “we are comfortable with the gloves he used. The gloves didn’t win the fight, Manny Pacquiao did.”
Roach said he was “hoping to come over soon for a visit” indicating that he couldn’t join Pacquiao when he returns home on Friday because his fighter, heavyweight James Toney, another rabid Pacquiao fan has a fight in March. Roach concluded by thanking the Filipino people for their unwavering support for both Pacquiao and himself and said “ I love Manny. He’s a great boy.”
