Boxer Manny Pacquiao, left, of the Philippines, and trainer Freddie Roach pause for photos as they arrive for a news conference, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Los Angeles. AP
MANILA, Philippines—Win the first round and all the rounds thereafter.
This is the simple plan seven-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach has laid out for Manny Pacquiao in his Fight of the Century with Floyd Mayweather on May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Our game plan is to win every round,” Roach said during the recent pre-fight conference of the welterweight title bout.
“We have to win the first round and take Floyd out of his comfort zone.”
The strategy may take a lot of finessing to be effective, though, against Mayweather, who thrives in setting up foes for counter-attacks and has made 47 of them pay for trying to bully their way in.
Roach said he recognizes Mayweather’s strengths but Pacquiao will know “how to beat him” when training ends.
“We will make the right move before we attack him,” said Roach. “I know how Floyd sets up people and make them walk into shots.”
The trainer repeated his claim that Mayweather’s legs and speed aren’t what they used to be five years ago.
“Floyd’s legs are more shot now and he has slowed down quite a bit,” said the 55-year-old Hall of Famer who also believes Mayweather will be forced to trade punches with Pacquiao.
“Floyd will dip into Manny’s power,” said Roach. “That’s the mistake that someone will make against a southpaw. If Floyd has to exchange with Manny, I think that’s good for us and that’s why I think we’re going to win this fight.
“If we get the knockout, then that’s just a bonus.”
While many of Mayweather’s 10 sparmates are experienced, aging fighters, Roach picked rising fighters for Pacquiao.
Among them are welterweight Rashidi Ellis (13-0, 10 KOs) and lightweight Kenneth Sims Jr. (5-0, 2KOs) both 21.