NO MORE SECRETS

Roach reveals Pacquiao strategy

11/09/2008

One month before Manny Paquiao’s historic fight against Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 6, legendary American trainer Freddie Roach thinks he has assembled the ideal team top prepare is Filipino ward to knock out his Mexican-American foe.

In Roach’s discussion with Gabriel Montoya of Doghouseboxing.com, Pacquiao’s trainer said he has tapped Rashad Holloway, Marvin Cordova and his new student Amir Khan as Pacquiao’s sparring mates, describing the three young boxers as a combination of everything De La Hoya has in his arsenal of punches.

Roach described Holloway as “a boxer who fights likes Oscar quite a bit; Cordova as someone with quick hands and real good jabs; and Khan — whom Roach claimed a surprise — provides the speed that Pacquiao has to solve.

All three are bigger than Pacquiao.

Roach also did not hesitate from revealing a big part of their preparation against De La Hoya, claiming the Golden Boy’s killer jabs are a concern for Pacquiao.

“ Well, obviously we have to get past the jab,” said Roach. “We know that. It’s not a secret.”

Roach also said he is confident Pacquiao could weather De La Hoya’s punches, and that the Filipino boxing icon would knock out his rival in nine rounds. According to Roach, each camp’s preparations are no longer a secret to each other.

“People say that I shouldn’t be telling my strategy but who doesn’t know that. I mean, c’mon. Oscar is going to be using the jab. That’s going to be the key to him dictating the pace of the fight is to use his jab effectively. We got to take the jab away from him and that’s what we been working on. So far it’s working well,” Roach said.

Roach also expressed confidence Pacquiao’s strength will work against De La Hoya’s vaunted experience, reiterating Pacquiao could score a big knockout win.

“If the knockout comes it’ll be a bonus. That’ll be gravy,” Roach said.

“But you know, Pacquiao doesn’t train to knock people out. He trains to fight 12 hard rounds. And that’s what we’re going to do. Push the issue,” Roach added.

Roach also took another jab at De La Hoya, whom he earlier said could “no longer pull the trigger,” saying: “Make Oscar fight three minutes of every round. I think we will get him somewhere along the way because he does tire. But you know, obviously Oscar is a great fighter. I’m confident but I know it’s not going to be easy.”

Roach also tried to spark a controversy following De La Hoya’s hiring of Angelo Dundee, another legendary trainer in addition to Nacho Beristain, who was earlier tapped by the Golden Boy as his trainer.

“I think he’s a great addition for Oscar because he has experience. And what’s better than the knowledge of experience? He’s seen everything. He’s a great guy,” Roach said.

“But I put myself in Nacho (Beristain’s) shoes. If I am supposed to be one of the greatest trainers of all time like he is. Nacho has great credentials, of course. It’s hard to have two bosses, man. Who’s Oscar going to listen to? Nacho or Angelo? Can they work together? I’ve done it before because I am an accepting guy like that but it’s kind of a slap in the face to Nacho, I feel. Is Oscar not happy with what Nacho’s doing? Is that why he brought him in? We don’t know that. But overall, I love Angelo, he’s a great guy. He’s a friend of mine. I think he’s a very knowledgeable guy. But I think it might cause some controversy in camp. And if it does (smiles) I’m happy.”

Roach said putting together that tandem may even cause some controversy in the ring.

“Well, who’s going to speak? We haven’t been told what the role of each person is? Who’s the lead guy? Is he an assistant or is he just a fresh eye? Which could be used effectively if Nacho is acceptable of his opinion. But everyone has their own agenda. One person might want him to fight one way. One person might want him to fight that way. Can they agree? We’ll see,” he said.

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