LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao revealed on Monday the secret behind his unforgettable second-round knockout victory over Ricky Hatton over the weekend in Las Vegas.
While Pacquiao admits that Freddie Roach and his support staff played a pivotal role in the smashing triumph at the MGM Grand, Pacquiao said he also had his own game plan and the left hand that landed on Hatton’s jaw was a major part of it.
“I carefully studied Hatton’s style and the moment I threw that left hand and landed it on his jaw,” said Pacquiao, pointing to the area in his face where it landed exactly, “I knew he wasn’t going to get up.”
“I felt the impact of the punch up to here,” said Pacquiao, this time putting his right index finger on his left elbow.
Pacquiao said he always engages Roach in a discussion over the technique and strategy to be used and there have been several times when he would have his way.
“If I don’t feel right and comfortable with something that’s being discussed during training, I tell them and they would listen to me,” said Pacquiao, who hooked up with Roach in mid-2001.
With the exception of one fight--a loss to Erik Morales in March 2005 — Roach and Pacquiao have been playing beautiful music together.
Roach also admits that it is Pacquiao’s streak of wins that has elevated him to a higher status among the world’s finest cornermen.
“Manny Pacquiao makes me look good,” said Roach in a modest manner.
Their teamup is so successful that on June 12 in New York, Pacquiao and Roach will receive major awards from the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America as “Fighter of the Year” and “Trainer of the Year,” respectively.
Still, Roach’s influence on Pacquiao has made the Filipino fighter what he is now.
From an offense-oriented fighter who made his debut in June 2001, Pacquiao has metamorphosed into a do-it-all punching machine now regarded as the best boxer in the world pound-for-pound and appears headed towards becoming an all-time great.
On the horizon for Pacquiao are Floyd Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto, who has an inside track over the rest since he is also under the Top Rank banner like Pacquiao.
Source: mb.com.ph
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