By Ronnie Nathanielsz
2003 Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach is very pleased with the way Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao is progressing in his preparations for the blockbuster rematch with Erik “El Terrible” Morales at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on January 21.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Roach said “Manny is doing very well. He is training hard and trying to get rid of all the distractions.” Roach said Pacquiao is able to concentrate on his training because “nobody is allowed in the gym when he trains. Its very quiet.”
Roach stressed that Pacquiao is “very serious” and that they had “spent a lot of time figuring on how to beat this guy (Morales).” Roach noted that there’s just under a month to go but that Pacquiao “will be there.”
Pacquiao himself spoke to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today his training was “going well” and that they had worked on a secret strategy to avenge his loss to Morales in a bloody battle last March 19 when a bad cut suffered during a clash of heads blurred the Filipino southpaw’s vision and hurt his chances.
Pacquiao said he couldn’t reveal details of their fight plan but was confident it would work this time.
