Roach to settle for unanimous decision triumph by Pacquiao

Freddie Roach talks to the media inside Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, CA. 21 April 2015. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA

HOLLYWOOD—Whatever edge Floyd Mayweather Jr. had over Manny Pacquiao has vanished over the last five years.

Now, master trainer Freddie Roach believes Pacquiao can beat Mayweather on May 2.

Roach’s reason: Pacquiao has progressed, Mayweather has retrogressed.

Knowing that Mayweather will bulk up to 160 pounds on fight night, however, Roach isn’t predicting a knockout victory for Pacquiao, who’ll check in at least 12 pounds lighter.

But Roach thinks Pacquiao is in good enough shape to negate Mayweather’s reach and weight advantage.

“We’re really close (to reaching peak form),” said Roach. “Almost perfect.”

The seven-time trainer of the year made this assessment after Pacquiao’s sparring session with two partners Tuesday at his Wild Card Gym here.

Roach also received a sample of Pacquiao’s explosive power as he got hurt by a blow to the chest.

“He’d never hit me as hard as that before,” said Roach. “He doesn’t hold back, but that’s what I want.”

To prevent Pacquiao from over-training, Roach said they tapered down in training since Monday, when Pacquiao’s team made it all way to the top in their morning jog at Griffith Park.

At this stage in Pacquiao’s career, Roach finds it unnecessary to hold more sparring sessions.

While they sometimes spar for more than 150 rounds before a fight, Roach bared that they won’t even reach 90 this time.

There’ll be eight rounds (of sparring) on Thursday,” said Roach. “Then six on Saturday.”

There will be a light workout on Monday before Team Pacquiao leaves for Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Roach is hopeful everything will come into place.

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