By Edward Chaykovsky
Trainer Freddie Roach is preparing Manny Pacquiao to throw punches at all times. He doesn't want Pacquiao to fall into traps on May 2nd, by following Floyd Mayweather Jr. around the ring without being active with his hands. The two fighters will collide for the WBO/WBA/WBC welterweight titles at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Roach reflects back on Pacquiao making one fatal mistake against Juan Manuel Marquez in the sixth round of their fourth meeting in 2012, where the Filipino star lunged in and got knocked out cold by a Marquez counter. Mayweather is a better counter-puncher than Marquez and often forces fighters to follow him around the ring while breaking them down with counters as they get within range.
“Mayweather is very good at moving and when he gets you to follow him he will walk you into shots, score points and win rounds. But he does make mistakes here and there. Not a lot, but a couple and that’s something a southpaw like Manny can take advantage of. The strategy to win the fight is very complicated and very precise,” said Roach. “Manny has to make the right moves at the right time to win the fight and this time there is no room for error."
