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excerpts from an ESPN Boxing blog
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Entering Manny Pacquiao's Inner Circle
by Peter Owen Wilson
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Entering Manny Pacquiao's Inner Circle
by Peter Owen Wilson
On his first day of sparring against New Jersey native Glen Tapia (which is closed to the public and press), Pacquaio shows some troubling timing and an overeagerness to lunge with his punches. It's the usual rust of an elite boxer who is seeing his first punches in more than six months, the first since his unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey last March. What concerns Roach is Pacquiao's insistence on fighting with his back against the ropes. "Fighters that either use movement or never go to the ropes beat Margarito: Paul Williams, Daniel Santos and Shane Mosley," Roach said. "Go to the ropes and Margarito will break you down by throwing six- to eight-punch combinations."
The next day, while Roach and Pacquiao work mitts together, Pacquiao backs up to the ropes and asks a question: "What about when I am here?" Roach answers the question with one of his own: "Manny, how about don't be there?"
On his second day of sparring, against young contender Michael Medina (24-2-2), Pacquiao seems sharper and more focused. He also keeps the session open to the public. "I knew when Manny told the press they could stay, something was up," Medina said.
After sparring, Medina would be more experienced by four rounds and one black eye, noting, "I've never been through sparring like that." The statement holds a certain weight considering that three years prior, Medina sparred with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his fight against Oscar De La Hoya.
When asked if the press access and consequent thrashing of his sparring partner were premeditated by Pacquiao, Roach grinned. "One-hundred percent," he said.
The next day, while Roach and Pacquiao work mitts together, Pacquiao backs up to the ropes and asks a question: "What about when I am here?" Roach answers the question with one of his own: "Manny, how about don't be there?"
On his second day of sparring, against young contender Michael Medina (24-2-2), Pacquiao seems sharper and more focused. He also keeps the session open to the public. "I knew when Manny told the press they could stay, something was up," Medina said.
After sparring, Medina would be more experienced by four rounds and one black eye, noting, "I've never been through sparring like that." The statement holds a certain weight considering that three years prior, Medina sparred with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his fight against Oscar De La Hoya.
When asked if the press access and consequent thrashing of his sparring partner were premeditated by Pacquiao, Roach grinned. "One-hundred percent," he said.
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