Boxing Herald sat down with Freddie Roach and got a good update on Manny Pacquiao's training camp. Pacquiao is preparing for the legendary Oscar De La Hoya, a fight that many in the boxing circles say is a circus act. Roach informed this writer that earlier today Pacquiao demolished a 160lb sparring partner to the point where Roach sent the kid packing out of the gym. Roach also speaks on the possibility that Pacquiao will eventually meet up with the great Floyd Mayweather Jr, a fight that would indeed settle the question, Who IS the pound for pound greatest?
Boxing Herald – Freddie, thanks for joining Boxing Herald.
Freddie Roach – Thanks for having me.
Boxing Herald – Freddie, what's the latest?
Freddie Roach – We just finished a great sparring day. Manny just hurt a 160lb sparring partner with a right hook. Thank God he didn't finish him!
Boxing Herald – How big was this guy?
Freddie Roach – 160lbs
Boxing Herald – So Manny is sending 160lb sparring partners packing?
Freddie Roach – Yes, and his coach actually told me that his guy hurt Manny in the first round. I said, “What are you talking about?” I guess they were trying to recover their money being they came in from Texas and all. Rashad Holloway is in the gym as well, and he gave Manny a good workout today. I am excited about where we are right now, Manny is looking great.
Boxing Herald – How focused is Manny?
Freddie Roach – Manny was invited to the Oakland Raiders game for Philippine Appreciation Day. Manny politely declined, and told them that we are in training camp right now.
Boxing Herald – How much does Manny weigh right now?
Freddie Roach – After workout today he weighed 151lbs.
Boxing Herald – Is it more difficult to get a fighter to make weight, or have a fighter come up in weight?
Freddie Roach – Well going up in weight doesn't usually make you weak like going down in weight does. We are comfortable where Manny is at right now. I added some more protein to his diet, and he's working with a nutritionist. I have him eating 4 times a day right now, and it's working out well.
Boxing Herald – Is he working with weights at all?
Freddie Roach – No, speed, speed, speed.
Boxing Herald – Do you feel that Manny will be able to actually knock De La Hoya out?
Freddie Roach – Without a doubt. We are not going to win by decision, we are going to knock this guy out. In history, guys that go up in weight classes and then come back down, get knocked out. Roy Jones Jr, Sugar Ray Leonard, guys like that. We will be a strong 147lbs, and I love this fight.
Boxing Herald – When you were lobbying for this fight, everybody was calling you crazy. If Manny actually does shock the world and knocks out De La Hoya, do you feel that he will then be ranked within the greatest of all time?
Freddie Roach – Well lb for lb he's the greatest right now. We should get Ricky Hatton next, and then if Floyd wants to come back, we can look at that. Obviously, Floyd is the best fight for us, IF he comes back.
Boxing Herald – A Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Manny Pacquiao fight for the pound for pound king title? How huge would that be?
Freddie Roach – Floyd is a great fighter, and has a whole different style than the other fighters. Manny's best fighting weight is at 140lbs, were going to 147 for Oscar because of the opportunity. A win over De La Hoya makes him a super star, and sets up the Ricky Hatton fight. A Floyd Mayweather fight would be at a catch weight. We like 140 he likes 147, so lets meet somewhere in the middle. Let's see what happens.
Boxing Herald – Oscar is obviously bigger than Manny is. You have gone on the record many times and said that you believe that it will be Manny's speed that will make the difference. With that said, even an older and slower Oscar De La Hoya is a very dangerous fighter. What are some of your concerns, OTHER than Oscar's size, about what Oscar brings into the ring against Manny?
Freddie Roach – Well obviously the left hook gets out attention. Obviously we will be watching out for that. We are working on getting away from that hook daily. We are working on everything that Oscar does well. Whatever he does well, we are working on what we need to do to nullify that. Don't get me wrong, I know this will be a difficult fight, but I tell you what, we are working very hard. I love the way Manny is moving his head right now, and I love where Manny is at right now.
Boxing Herald – Are you concerned about the size difference as it pertains to physics? Meaning, Oscar may be able to knock Manny down due to the natural physics of things.
Freddie Roach – I have Manny in there with big guys sparring. He's been handling the bigger guys quite well. I have the smaller guy in there, and I don't believe that Oscar fights southpaws very well, and he doesn't fight smaller guys very well. I think Oscar has the size advantage, but all the other advantages, we have.
Boxing Herald – If Oscar wins this fight, are you still going to do this for free?
Freddie Roach – Yup.
Boxing Herald – Seriously?
Freddie Roach – Yea, I am serious.
Boxing Herald – This fight personally means a lot to you. Manny is not only your fighter, but he is also your friend. As far as heart goes, does this fight mean the most to you personally?
Freddie Roach – Yes definitely. Look, we took off a big bite with this size difference, and I know that. I weighed the pros and cons of it, and I think things land in our favor. This is definitely the biggest fight of my life.
Boxing Herald – If Manny gets into trouble in this fight, and it's obvious the size difference is just too much. Will you hesitate to throw in the towel in this fight?
Freddie Roach – I watch that in all of my fighters fights. It's always much safer if a guy is being overwhelmed to just stop it, and let him fight for another day. I don't see that happening in this fight, but if so, I will of course protect my guy. I will never let my fighter take a beating to where he gets hurt. It's always a chance of that happening in boxing, it's a tough sport. If you don't want to do this (boxing) 100 percent, you don't need to be doing it at all.
Boxing Herald – You have the gym on complete lock down. Have you noticed a difference in Manny? Is he focused more than ever with the gym being locked down this time?
Freddie Roach – Yes, and his punches are unbelievable. I wore the body suit for the first time with Manny Pacquiao because I don't want him holding back his body punches. He knocked the wind out of me three times today. We will be testing Oscars body out, trust me.
Boxing Herald – Do you have any closing thoughts for all of Manny's fans out there?
Freddie Roach – Thank you for all of your support. We had a big crowd of Manny's fans out in the parking lot today. Manny signed autographs, and took pictures with all of them. We just want to thank everyone for how much you have supported us, and we look forward to a great fight against Oscar De La Hoya
