Superior hand speed is Pacman’s edge, says Roach
LOS ANGELES—Superior hand speed will give Manny Pacquiao a decisive edge over American Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their heavily anticipated megafight in Las Vegas next week, says the Filipino southpaw’s chief trainer Freddie Roach.
Mayweather will go into the May 2 welterweight showdown as the favorite in his bid to improve on a perfect 47-0 record, but Roach is confident that Pacquiao will emerge victorious on points after the 12 scheduled rounds.
“I know he (Mayweather) is a good fighter but I just think I have the better fighter,” Roach said Thursday before overseeing a shadow boxing session by Pacquiao at his Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
“Hand speed is going to be a big, big difference in this fight and Manny is much quicker than he is.”
Roach, who has guided Pacquiao to world championships in eight weight divisions and a 57-5-2 career record with 38 knockouts, said he had no concerns about the threat posed by 11-time world champion Mayweather.
“I don’t think he can really hurt Manny, so I am not worried about that so much,” smiled Roach, a former pro boxer who ended his own ring career with a decent 41-13 record.
“Mayweather has a good right hand but I don’t think he can knock Manny out with that right hand. I don’t think he can move like he used to because his legs aren’t what they were, and that’s the first thing to go in a fighter.”
Roach expects the May 2 bout to last the full 12 rounds.
“It’s going to start quick,” said the trainer who has worked with 31 world champions. “We’re going to be warmed up and ready to go.
“What I want Manny to do is outscore him and land combinations, get out of the pocket and make him miss. If we can consistently do that, we will win the fight on a decision. I think it will go the distance.”
Mayweather, 38, is known for his brilliant defense and astute ring management while Pacquiao, 36, is renowned for his aggressive style and lightning-fast speed, setting up an intriguing match-up of contrasting styles. Reuters
