By Mark Vester
Trainer Freddie Roach got an unexpected surprise on his 50th birthday, a grazing right hand on the chin from WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. The Philippine Star reports Pacquiao chin-checked Roach during a training routine. Not the first or last time. The paper watched the two hour training routine and reported several shots digging to Roach's body or being to quick for Roach to pull fully away.
“Sorry coach, sorry,” Pacquiao was quoted as saying after the chin check. “He hurts me and knocks the wind out of me sometimes,” Roach told the paper.
Based on the live report, Roach was making Pacquiao target the body often. Roach wants Pacquiao to break Joshua Clottey's body when they face off on March 13 in Texas.
“There’s nothing he can do when you’re not standing in front of him. There’s nothing he can do. Take advantage of that," Roach yelled at Pacquiao.
Roach wants Pacquiao to stay on the move after landing his combinations. He doesn't think Clottey can do anything unless a fighter stands in his face on the inside.
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