Roach To Rios: Good Luck on Coming For The Kill

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach reacted to the recent boast of Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios that he’s "coming for the kill" against “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao when they clash for the WBO International welterweight title in Macau on November 24. Roach responded to Rios by telling him “good luck” on trying to accomplish that goal.

Roach told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard on Sunday, which was a rest day for  Pacquiao, that the eight division world champion was doing “fine” and there were no concerns in his training camp.

Pacquiao sparred six rounds on Saturday with British light middleweight Liam Vaughan and with new sparring partner, Keita Obara, the Japanese super lightweight champion.
Obara is much taller than Pacquiao at 5’10” and has a record of 10-1 with 8 knockouts and is regarded as a solid puncher.

He won the title in a rematch with Hayato Hokazono  last April 18, scoring a 4th round knockout after losing in their first encounter by an 8th round TKO on November 14, 2012. In his last title defense Obara won by a 3rd round knockout over So Takenaka.

Roach also informed BoxingScene/Standard that 21-year-old Pan Asian Boxing Association welterweight champion Teerachai Kratingdaenggym, who is ranked No. 12 in the world by the WBA, is also expected to begin sparring with Pacquiao this week.