By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Trainer Freddie Roach has expressed “concern” over a plan by Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao to skip training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and train solely in Baguio City for his showdown with former two-time world super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2.

In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Roach said “I would like to see him get in a couple of good weeks first and get to work.” Roach noted there were “too many distractions there” in the Philippines and he didn’t want Pacquiao “to take Larios lightly because he is a tough guy.” Roach expressed his sentiments although Pacquiao himself indicated he hadn’t decided with finality on the plan to train solely in Baguio City.

Roach expressed concern over the hectic schedule of Pacquiao which saw him spend a couple of days in hospital because of over fatigue. “That’s why I like to get him here in America for  two or three weeks which would get a good base for us” added the trainer largely responsible for turning Pacquiao into a fighting machine. Roach disclosed he had already lined up a roster of sparring partners and would bring in a couple for the final weeks of Pacquiao's training in Baguio.

Roach also indicated he was busy training several fighters for world title fights including Pacquiao’s younger brother Bobby Pacquiao for a crucial fight against Kevin Kelley and wouldn’t be able to spend all his time at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines training camp in Baguio which has been offered to Pacquiao by ABAP president Manny Lopez.

Roach also disclosed that legendary Mexican Erik “El Terrible” Morales who took a bad beating in a rematch with Pacquiao last January is willing to battle the Filipino southpaw in a third encounter at 130 pounds. Roach said “Morales is going to fight, that’s what I hear. He is going to fight at a 130 pounds in either late October or early November.”

Roach who is scheduled to arrive on Thursday for a press conference the following day arranged by ABS-CBN where Larios and Pacquiao will also be present to help drum up interest in the July 2 fight card said “I guess I’ll have to talk to Manny when I get there” regarding the tentative plan to skip training at the Wild Card Gym in LA.