Lighter is better

MACAU—Weight isn’t an issue for Freddie Roach.

Manny Pacquiao can come in as light as he wants and Chris Algieri can check in as heavy as he gets and it won’t matter.

“When the bell rings, the weight doesn’t matter. The better fighter is going to win the fight,” Roach told sportswriters at the press center of The Venetian Macao Wednesday.

Roach, however, said that Pacquiao will be faster and deadlier if he comes in at 142 pounds during the official weigh-in on Saturday and 146 to 147 pounds by fight time for the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown on Sunday.

Pacquiao tipped the scales at 140 after working out Tuesday.

“I’m very pleased with Tuesday’s workout,” Roach said. “He’s punching really well. Really heavy. Nice, sure punches.”

Assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez said Pacquiao is currently working on the “Saranggani Punch,” which he plans to use against Algieri.

Asked whether it’s going to be a left hand or right hand, Fernandez hinted it’s similar to the punch that knocked Ricky Hatton out in 2009.

Fernandez said they first worked on the punch when Pacquiao fought and regained the WBO welterweight crown from Tim Bradley last June.

That time, however, Fernandez said the punch was still unpolished.

After a total of 134 rounds of sparring, Fernandez believes the Saranggani Punch has been perfected.

With the hard work over, Roach said he’d lighten up Pacquiao’s workout, with the final day at the gym set Thursday.

“I don’t want him to leave it in the gym,” said Roach. “I want him to save it for the fight.”

Pacquiao was in a jovial mood as he waited for the arrival of his players—the KIA Sorento, who are planing in Saturday. Though the Sorento are struggling with a 1-6 slate in the PBA Philippine Cup, Pacquiao said he wants to give the team the opportunity to watch him in action.