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Freddie Roach insists Manny Pacquiao will be the stronger fighter on the night when he takes on Ricky Hatton on Saturday.
Pacquiao has only recently stepped up from much lighter divisions while Hatton has been established at 140lb all his career, leading many to believe that the Briton will have a distinct advantage at the MGM Grand.
However, trainer Roach believes that just because Hatton will tip the scales a much heavier man on fight night, it doesn't mean he will have superior strength.
"Manny's really settled in the 140-pound weight division, he's really getting used to the weight and he's knocked out four sparring partners out of seven and in training camp he's been looking very strong," said the master of the Wild Card Gym.
Guarantee
"Ricky will be a little heavier by fight time but being heavier really doesn't make you stronger.
"I know I have the stronger fighter going into the fight, I guarantee that."
Roach also believes the Filipino legend is now a complete fighter after arriving at the Wild Card a raw talent.
"We've been working on that a long time and it's finally coming into play," he added. "He's boxing a lot smarter now.
"It started with the Diaz fight where he boxed a beautiful fight. His defence is much better, the Oscar fight was similar and the way things are going, the Hatton fight will be the same."
Body shots
However, Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr insists his charge has also become a more controlled fighter since leaving long-time mentor Billy Graham.
"The name of the game is hit and don't be hit and that's what I've been getting Ricky to do and he's most definitely going to perfect that," Mayweather said.
"I heard Freddie Roach saying on TV (to Pacquiao) 'don't let him hit your body, don't let him hit your body.'
"Of course he's going to hit his body, it's just a matter of time. We've got 12 rounds in this fight and he's not going 12 rounds without his body being hit."
SOURCE:SkySports
Pacquiao has only recently stepped up from much lighter divisions while Hatton has been established at 140lb all his career, leading many to believe that the Briton will have a distinct advantage at the MGM Grand.
However, trainer Roach believes that just because Hatton will tip the scales a much heavier man on fight night, it doesn't mean he will have superior strength.
"Manny's really settled in the 140-pound weight division, he's really getting used to the weight and he's knocked out four sparring partners out of seven and in training camp he's been looking very strong," said the master of the Wild Card Gym.
Guarantee
"Ricky will be a little heavier by fight time but being heavier really doesn't make you stronger.
"I know I have the stronger fighter going into the fight, I guarantee that."
Roach also believes the Filipino legend is now a complete fighter after arriving at the Wild Card a raw talent.
"We've been working on that a long time and it's finally coming into play," he added. "He's boxing a lot smarter now.
"It started with the Diaz fight where he boxed a beautiful fight. His defence is much better, the Oscar fight was similar and the way things are going, the Hatton fight will be the same."
Body shots
However, Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr insists his charge has also become a more controlled fighter since leaving long-time mentor Billy Graham.
"The name of the game is hit and don't be hit and that's what I've been getting Ricky to do and he's most definitely going to perfect that," Mayweather said.
"I heard Freddie Roach saying on TV (to Pacquiao) 'don't let him hit your body, don't let him hit your body.'
"Of course he's going to hit his body, it's just a matter of time. We've got 12 rounds in this fight and he's not going 12 rounds without his body being hit."
SOURCE:SkySports
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