Roach slams door on fans, says disruptions affect training
BAGUIO CITY—The remaining sparring sessions of Manny Pacquiao at the Cooyesan Sports Complex here will be held behind closed doors.
Only those involved in the pound-for-pound king’s training camp will be given entry and trainer Freddie Roach wants this to be strictly enforced this time.
A sizeable crowd managed to sneak in when Pacquiao sparred for four rounds with Michael Medina on Saturday afternoon, and this made the four-time Trainer of the Year uneasy.
Pacquiao and Medina were already exchanging blows, there were still people knocking on the door of the boxing gym.
Roach got annoyed, of course. Though the no-camera, no-video restriction were being adhered to, the presence of too many onlookers still posed some concern.
“I’m going to shut (gym) it down,” Roach told Manila-based sportswriters after the sparring that saw Pacquiao dominate the taller, rangier Medina (22-2 with 19 knockouts) with his speed.
Pacquiao’s next sparring session is slated Tuesday, with either Glenn Tapia or Medina, both light middleweights, facing him.
If the condition warrants and the session extends to six rounds, Roach may tap both Tapia and Medina to imitate Antonio Margarito’s fighting stance.
Thus far, Roach is pleased with Pacquiao’s sparmates, who really tried to bring the fight to the seven-time, seven-division world champion. With little success, of course.
“He’s strong and fast,” said the 24-year-old Medina, who totes a 22-win, 2-loss record with 19 knockouts.
Tapia, on the other hand, was impressed with the way Pacquiao was able to move out when cornered and threw punches as he circled his opponent.
Still, Roach wants more quality sparring for Pacquiao.
Though he intends to cut down Pacquiao’s sparring rounds to 100 to 110, Roach wants to bring in Vanes Martirosian and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., both unbeaten, for variety.
Pacquiao is being tagged as a 5-1 favorite to beat Margarito for the vacant WBC super welterweight crown on Nov. 13 in Arlington, Texas, but Roach is leaving no room for complacency.
Thus far, however, Roach believes Pacquiao is doing great, especially with the way he’s performing during training and sparring sessions.
Pacquiao is already all muscle and down to 147 pounds despite eating as much as he can. His renowned stamina is also back. Despite going non-stop during punch-mitts sessions, he still has energy left to play basketball at night.
Of course, Pacquiao’s timing is a little bit off, but with six weeks to go, Roach knows that time is on their side.
After his training the other day, Pacquiao went down to Manila for a speaking engagement and spend quality time with his family at their home in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Pacquiao is slated to return here last night or early today, in time to do his roadwork, either at Burnham Park or the mountains.
Meanwhile, Top Rank chief honcho and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum is slated to arrive on Saturday from the United States. According to Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz, a media day will be held here on Oct. 18.
Meanwhile, Top Rank chief honcho and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum is slated to arrive on Saturday from the United States. According to Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz, a media day will be held here on Oct. 18.
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