Roach says losing not an option

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach isn’t entertaining the notion of Manny Pacquiao losing to Juan Manuel Marquez in their 12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this morning (Manila time) because a defeat would be “devastating” for the Filipino icon’s career.

In Roach’s mind, Pacquiao is in the best shape of his career, probably close to how he was prepared to battle Oscar de la Hoya in 2008. That’s because Pacquiao realizes he’s in a must-win situation. Pacquiao chose to fight Marquez instead of Timothy Bradley because of unfinished business and besides, it’s the war that’s begging for a conclusive ending. 

Roach said there won’t be a fifth match and the duel will close in a quadrilogy with Pacquiao scoring a decisive victory in the final chapter. Pacquiao hasn’t scored a knockout since he stopped Miguel Cotto in 2009 so it’s been three years and five fights that he hasn’t finished off an opponent inside the distance. Marquez has survived 36 rounds with Pacquiao, was knocked down thrice in their first meeting and once in their second but every fight has been close. 

“We’re not going to win by decision this time,” said Roach, quoted by Jeremy Schaap in ESPN The Magazine. “Manny needs to be the old Manny Pacquiao and knock this guy out. At the L. A. press conference, the table had a little pad and Manny scratched in it and wrote, ‘We will win by a knockout.’ That’s the only time in 13 years he’s ever said that to me.”

Pacquiao has been a man on a mission since reporting for duty at the Wild Card Gym last October. He did three weeks of training in General Santos City with Buboy Fernandez before moving to Los Angeles. On his first day of work at Wild Card, Pacquiao went 12 rounds of mitts with Roach who was clearly impressed. In sparring, Pacquiao has registered four knockdowns – he hadn’t floored a sparmate since training for Cotto in 2009. For Roach, the signs are evident that Pacquiao is headed for a win by knockout.

Roach said he couldn’t even imagine Pacquiao losing to Marquez. “Boy, it might be over,” Roach told Schaap. “Losing this fight would be devastating for his career.” Pacquiao recently inked a one-year extension of his promotional contract with Top Rank and that guarantees two fights in 2013. 

Like every fight fan, Roach dreams of Pacquiao facing off against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what would be the bout of the century. The match would easily fetch both fighters at least $50 Million apiece. But realistically, Roach said it may never happen. “I just don’t think that’s gonna happen,” said Roach, quoted by Schaap. “Having that 0 on Mayweather’s record is more important than $100 Million to him. Having that 0 on his record, he can say that he’s better than Sugar Ray Robinson.”

Pacquiao, however, is pushing the envelope. There is talk that Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is working overtime to make the fight in April next year and even a rematch in November. “I’m 100 percent willing to fight him,” said Pacquiao also to Schaap.  “I already announced that on ESPN.  I can agree with the sharing 45/55 for him.  Whatever he wants – the drug testing, he can suggest the rules and regulations.  It’s up to him.  I hope that fight will happen by next year.  I have no comment about Mayweather.  But I’m praying for him that he will find a new way of life.  Because our life here in this world is temporary.  I’m not angry at him.  I like Floyd.  This is my brother.  In God, in Christ Jesus.”

Roach has something to prove himself because the man in the opposite corner is also a Hall of Famer Nacho Beristain. They’re both brilliant tacticians.  Critics claim Beristain is better in making adjustments during a fight while Roach is better in formulating a game-plan.  Roach hasn’t been on a lucky streak lately with his protégés Amir Khan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. suffering setbacks.  So he, like Pacquiao, is after a convincing victory. That’s why in their mind, losing is just not an option.