Kung si Roach 'di nasiyahan, Rodela napabilib kay Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Habang hindi nasiya­han si trainer Freddie Roach sa kanilang naging training camp ni Manny Pacquiao sa Pilipinas, wala namang nakitang kakaiba si David Rodela kay “Pacman”.

Nakipagsabayan si Ro­dela, isa sa mga regular spar­ring partners ni Pacquiao, sa Congressman ng Sarangani sa loob ng tatlong rounds sa Wild Card Boxing Gym ni Roach.

“He looked good to me,” wika ni Rodela kay Pacquiao. “He looked like he was in shape. I’ve sparred with him a long time now. He looked like he’s ready. His punches were nice and crisp. If I noticed anything, maybe it was his timing. He hesitated a few times throwing the hook.”

Hindi nasiyahan ang four-time Trainer of the Year sa kanilang naging trai­ning camp ni Pacquiao sa Pilipinas.

Ito rin ang naging obser­basyon ni Bob Arum ng Top Rank Promotions nang per­sonal na dalawin ng pa­mosong promoter ang en­sayo ng Pilipino boxing superstar sa Baguio City.

Subalit walang nakitang pagbabago si Rodela sa kilos ni Pacquiao.

“Other than that, I didn’t’ see anything that was off. He threw a lot of flurries like he always does. His work rate was high. He wasn’t really different from any other time I sparred with him,” wika ni Rodela.

Kasalukuyang pinaghahandaan ni Pacquiao ang kanilang banggaan ni Mexican Antonio Margarito sa Nobyembre 13 sa Cowboys Stadium sa Arlington, Texas.

Inamin ng Filipino world seven-division champion na nahati ang kanyang oras sa pagsasanay sa bo­xing gym, pagdalo sa ilang okasyon at pagiging mambabatas.

“My time to train was di­vided on some other things,” sabi ni Pacquiao.

“There are no politicians to take him away, no presidents asking him to come to meetings and so forth. He’s much more focused,” ani Roach sa ka­nilang sparring session ni Pacquiao sa Wild Card Gym.

Inaasahan naman ni Roach na isang bagong Margarito ang makikita sa Nobyembre 13 dahil kay Mexican trainer Robert Garcia.

“I’m sure they’ll try some new strategies. Usually when you have a veteran fighter, though, after the bell rings and the first punch lands, you kind of revert back to what you are. I think that’s what he’ll do,” sabi ni Roach.

“Manny has the game plan to fight this guy. I’m very, very positive that we will stop him. Manny’s hand speed will be way too much for him. He’s a volume pun­cher but he’s very slow and has terrible footwork,” dag­dag pa nito.