Roach wants to see old Pacman power, speed

HOLLYWOOD – Freddie Roach said he misses the old Manny Pacquiao, and that’s the Manny Pacquiao he wants to see on April 9 in Las Vegas.

Roach said it’s Pacquiao’s power and speed that will carry them to victory over Timothy Bradley for their third fight at the MGM Grand.

He hasn’t seen both for quite some time now.

“The speed to overwhelm the opponent but it’s really speed and power. That’s what I want to see. We haven’t seen that for a long time,” said Roach.

Pacquiao hasn’t stopped an opponent inside the distance for seven years now, not since Miguel Cotto failed to last 12 rounds against him in 2009.

Pacquiao has lost three of his last six fights.

Twelve days from now, Pacquiao takes on Bradley for a third time, looking for an impressive win and a spectacular sendoff.

Pacquiao said he will retire after this fight.

Monday here in Los Angeles, the 37-year-old Pacquiao continued to impress his fans at Griffith Park during an early morning run, and then Roach at the Wild Card Gym in the afternoon.

Pacquiao succeeded.

“He was on fire. It was a very good workout. He looked great with his power, his speed. He was very fast. It was a very good day,” said Roach.

Pacquiao had been training for six weeks now, pitching camp in oven-hot General Santos City then moving on to this City of Angeles last March 12.

The hard work has been done, according to the chief trainer.

“He’s ready to fight but the thing is we still have a week to go and a couple of sparring days,” said Roach.

“But he’s ready to fight right now. We’re going eight rounds tomorrow but we might change that to six,” he said.

The last thing Roach wants to do now is make Pacquiao do more than what’s necessary.

“I don’t want to burn him out and overdo it,” he said.

“He’s already doing well,” Roach added.