Fresh from crossing the Atlantic, trainer Freddie Roach didn’t waste time in telling everyone that Manny Pacquiao will end up a big winner in his much-awaited match with Ricky Hatton on May 2.
Roach, who was warmly welcomed by Pacquiao outside the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Friday, started by praising Hatton but in the end he predicted that the British slugger will suffer the fate of Oscar De La Hoya.
The American legend was soundly beaten by the Gensan bomber in eight brutal rounds late last year.
"Hatton is younger, fresher, believes in himself," said Roach, who has been calling the shots in the Filipino pound-for-pound king’s corner since June 2001. "He’s a great body puncher. But we’re still going to knock him out. We will have a much different game plan than the one we used to beat De La Hoya."
Roach, who planed in alongside Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, sad: "Manny fought a very smart fight against De La Hoya (and) Manny is a quick learner. He did everything we trained against De La Hoya. When we return to Los Angeles (on Tuesday), I will present to him the how-to-beat Hatton game plan."
Roach is expected to be upstaged by Hatton chief trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., who will make his presence felt during a rally for Hatton at The Food Court @ The Trafford Centre in Manchester begining at 12 noon.
Both fighters take a break from their hectic schedules on Sunday when Pacquiao gets the opportunity to make rounds of places where Filipinos frequent, according to Arum, pointing to a visit to the Philippine Embassy and hearing Mass as tops on Team Pacquiao’s agenda.
Mayweather’s tirade should extend well into Monday when Pacquiao and Hatton stage a joint press conference starting at 11 a.m. at The Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, in London.
Mayweather, who took the job of Hatton’s top strategist last year when the fighter decided to break away from long-time tactician Billy Graham, has promised to make Hatton even better and deadlier for the Pacquiao brawl.
After the UK gig, a huge press conference is being planned by Arum and Hatton’s promoter Golden Boy Promotions in late-March in Los Angeles.
Hatton has already started training as early as two weeks ago, while Pacquiao will only begin his on March 4 at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
Another red-letter day as far as Pacquiao is concerned is April 21 in San Francisco where a fans day will be held simultaneous with the boxer throwing the ceremonial pitch at the AT&T Park where the SF Giants play the San Diego Padres.
Source: mb.com.ph
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