Trainer Freddie Roach(l)and Boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines(R), talk during a news conference with Jessie Vargas, USA, at The Wynn Las Vegas, November 2, 2016.
Pacquiao will challenge Vargas for the WBO Welterweight Championship Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. / AFP PHOTO / John GURZINSKI
The urgency in trainer Freddie Roach, who has suddenly called for a knockout inside five rounds, has caused a keen-eyed boxing expert to suspect something might be wrong or lacking in Manny Pacquiao’s total condition.
“That’s quite unusual, not normal,” said veteran international matchmaker Lope Sarreal Jr., who observed that Pacquiao continued to work out hard way past the usual cut-off period.
“Tira pa rin, takbo (He kept jogging and working hard) when it was already tapering time,” Sarreal noted.
When Roach first claimed Pacquiao would win by stoppage over WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, the famous trainer picked Round 9 to be the desired ending for the young, tall title-holder.
Roach cut that down to Round 5 on the eve of the championship weigh-in.
“I think if Vargas becomes too aggressive he might get knocked out, maybe early like four or five rounds,” Roach said.
Sarreal, brother-in-law of the late ring immortal Gabriel Elorde, hinted that a long wind-up bout could spell trouble for Pacquiao.
Even promoter Bob Arum has admitted Pacquiao’s training (for Vargas) had not been solid and even.
“Manny realized his training hasn’t really been ideal, and he’s going to try to stop him,” Arum said.