By Steve Kim
Trainer Freddie Roach has effectively locked down the Wild Card Boxing Club when he and Manny Pacquiao are going through strategy on the mitts or during sparring sessions as they prepare for the May 2nd bout versus Floyd Mayweather. For this fight they have a very detailed game plan versus the sophisticated style they will be facing.
But Roach did divulge this to BoxingScene.com - "I know what his favorite punch is and I will like it when he uses it against Manny Pacquiao because Manny... I think the southpaw stance will help him, I think he'll take advantage of it but it's gotta be precise, it's gotta be timing. It's gotta be almost perfect. I mean, you have no room for error with this fight."
You assume that Roach is talking about Mayweather's straight right-hand. Or perhaps his 'check-hook'. Regardless, this comes after five years of studying 'Money' on film.
"I'm studying from (Oscar) De La Hoya to now," said the trainer. "I've been doing the more recent stuff lately and I've seen some things, some mistakes, some habits that he has developed recently. He's not the same as when he fought Oscar that time. But the similarities are there."
As for the biggest change in Mayweather, Roach answered - "I think he's slowed down quite a bit. I think he has to take breaks. He can't move fluidly for 12-rounds like he used to. His legs are a problem."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com
