Roach eyes KO victory

Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach talks to journalists two days before the scheduled fight between Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley at MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA

LAS VEGAS — Freddie Roach could readily tell when Manny Pacquiao is slacking or picking up the beat in training.

The impact of Pacquiao’s punches during their mitts session serves as a gauge of how ferocious and intense his fighter is.

Last week, as they broke camp at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Roach felt how determined Pacquiao is to beat Timothy Bradley in their third encounter on April 9 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

READ: Pacquiao will try to take my head off, says Bradley

“He’s killing me with those punches,” said Roach. “The pain is shooting up.”

Based on Pacquiao’s activity level in training, Roach said he won’t be surprised if Pacquiao, who holds a 57-6-2 slate, wins by knockout.

READ: We won’t chase KO, says Roach

Though Pacquiao hasn’t done it since 2009, when he stopped Miguel Cotto in the 12th round, Roach is banking on his motivation to pull off his 39th KO.

“Everything 100 percent,” said Roach. “Unlike before when he uses his left mostly, he’s now going full blast with his right.”

Apparently, Pacquiao’s unique rehabilitation program of playing basketball and swimming worked wonders, according to Roach.

With the fight barely two days away, Roach encountered a problem Thursday.

Though he’d run in the morning at University of Nevada Las Vegas’ track oval, Pacquiao still wanted to do light training in the afternoon.

Pacquiao was already at the Top Rank gym and dressed up for the workout when Roach, strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune and assistant coach Buboy Fernandez conspired to make him change his mind.

READ: Pacquiao cancels last career training day

It took a lot of persuasive powers before Pacquiao agreed to heed their call and proceeded to his suite at the 60th floor of Mandalay Bay Delano to host a religious service.