In this photo taken on September 29, 2016, Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao stretches before a training session at a gym in Manila, ahead of his November 6 bout with Mexican boxer Jessie Vargas. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE
LAS VEGAS–Training camp is over for Manny Pacquiao. Finally, Freddie Roach can rest his battered shoulders.
When Roach got down from the ring, following a short mitts session with Pacquiao Wednesday, pain was written on his face and embedded on his palms.
Toward the ending of the one-hour workout at Top Rank Gym here, Roach, just to let his prized ward release compressed steam, asked Pacquiao to hit him five times each on both hands.
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Pacquiao reluctantly obliged.
He stepped back and then fired the missiles one at a time , first with the left, followed by the right.
The 56-year-old Roach gamely planted his foot, but every time a shot landed, he couldn’t help but retreat a little because of the explosive impact.
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“He hits as if there are rocks in his hands,” said Roach, who swears no other boxer had hurt him as much as Pacquiao did in this training camp.
“He’s more powerful than ever,” added Roach, who’s hopeful Pacquiao will end his seven-year knockout drought against Vargas.
“We’re done, there’s nothing left to do.”
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According to Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year, Pacquiao will be allowed to run for 10 laps at the University of Nevada in Los Angeles track oval, but won’t be reporting at the gym anymore.
On Friday, he’ll have to take a complete rest and eat as the official weigh-in will be held in the afternoon at Thomas & Mack Center.
Roach set Pacquiao’s ideal weight at 145 pounds or over.
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Come Saturday, Pacquiao will be allowed to walk in the vicinity of Wynn, just to loosen the muscles.
Then, it’s fight time.