By Mark Vester
Freddie Roach, trainer of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, expects "Sugar" Shane Mosley to go for a knockout in the early rounds of their championship fight on May 7th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Roach considers Mosley's right hand as the primary weapon that Pacquiao has to avoid. The first four rounds will be the most dangerous for Pacquiao, says Roach.
“He can take you out with one punch, the right hand,” Roach told The Philippine Star. “Mosley’s a good counter-puncher. He’ll use his left as a decoy. What he wants to do is to land the right. I don’t think he’ll box Manny because he doesn’t have the legs to fight from a distance. He’ll come on strong in the first four rounds, looking to knock out Manny.”
By the fourth, Roach expects Pacquiao to resume control, but he doesn't rule out a full domination by the Filipino boxer. Roach is a little concerned about a certain weak point in Pacquiao's armor. He wants to beef up Pacquiao's defense against right hand punches. Roach doesn't like how Pacquiao gets hit with the exact punch which Mosley uses to knock his opponents out.
“Manny can get hit with the right lead down the middle. That’s what he should watch for in fighting Mosley. I can see Manny throwing an overhand right over the top as a counter to Mosley’s left jab or left hook. Manny will go in and out which means he’ll use a lot of footwork. When Manny steps in, he’ll land the left hook.”
