By James Blears
Exercise physiologist Jorgen Persson who’s meticulously supervising Erik Morales’ weight loss combined with strength retention process, for a third titanic clash with Manny Pacquiao, is taking Freddie Roach to task for simplistically likening the event to Rocky Balboa versus Ivan Drago.
Whilst acknowledging an element of tongue in cheek from accomplished Trainer Freddie and certainly not accusing him of being a Flintstone…or a lightweight, Jorgen of Velocity Sports Performance of West LA, who was brought in by Top Rank, to hone Erik back to winning ways, is quite prepared to engage in some verbal BAM BAM, to reduce Freddie’s assertion to rubble.
Jorgen who’s working with Erik at the Otomi High Altitude Training Center in the mountains near Toluca, perched high above the metropolis of Mexico City, clubbed Freddie in rapier like fashion by commenting:
“The images are as colorful as the story, but the negative comparison between traditional boxing conditioning and contemporary science is sadly black and white, and possibly detrimental to the future of boxing as a growing and developing sport.”
Setting aside the movie “yabber,” Jorgen also dismissively countered: “I have found that many successful boxers actually respect science more than many well meaning traditional coaches do. Also, real scientists respect all the fabulous coaches and boxers out there, who make things happen against all odds. It’s often a very tough job that practical and applied science can make easier and more consistent.”
Concerning Erik, Jorgen stated: “The improved difference you will see on November 18th, is a direct result of an intelligent sponsor, caring coaches and a great boxer thinking ahead by embracing traditional know how and progressive conditioning science.”
Challenging the set in marble tablet notion of purely old timer boxing training, as stone age grind, Jorgen predicted: “The winning formula of the future is a careful and respectful integration of traditional know how with up to date applied research.”
He is also predicting that Erik will be ready, marvelously conditioned and bursting with strength, power plus energy within the super featherweight category limit, to hand Manny his second defeat in three meetings.
