Trainer Freddie Roach, left, talks to Manny Pacquiao during a news conference to promote an upcoming boxing match against Timothy Bradley Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in New York. Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Bradley on April 9, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
HALL-OF-FAME trainer Freddie Roach has come out with a stern warning for Manny Pacquiao. Roach told his top client to watch out for the dirty tactics of Timothy Bradley in their scheduled April 6 third fight in Las Vegas.
Roach has specified that Bradley could resort to foul use of elbows, or could step on Pacquiao’s toes.
No word on how Pacquiao reacted to the warning; the eight-division world title world winner, after all, has been used to Bradley’s rugged style.
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Instead, latest word from the Pacquiao camp in General Santos City says the fighting congressman of Sarangani Province is unfazed by the sharp dip in his popularity rating.
Pacquiao has dropped 12 percent in the poll, and was practically tossed out of the so-called Magic Circle.
He used to be tied at 8th place with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, but is now languishing between 12 and 14th place.
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Of course, Roach cannot do anything about this bothersome twist in Pacquiao’s political career.
The best Roach can resort to is make sure his man beats Bradley, and hope the victory offsets the damning effects of Pacquiao’s condemnation of gay couples—their abnormal sexual practice and preferences—on his own popularity.
So far, Roach has not made any hint of how he would make Pacquiao take care of Bradley’s tactics.
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Roach has, however, specified Pacquiao’s restored power, speed and agility should provide the difference come fight time.
Roach was prompt in stating he expects Pacquiao to win by stoppage, possibly in the ninth round.
Pacquiao, however, must be doubly careful.
A sub-par performance could cause him what had looked like a sure seat in the Senate-until that ill-advised comment against members of gay society.
Roach himself appears convinced only a resounding Pacquiao KO win could restore the old dancing in the street.