Pacman, Roach develop plan to stop Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao has claimed that he has developed the strategy to end US boxing champion Floyd Mayweather’s unbeaten run when the two go head-to-head in their much anticipated May 2 bout in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao did five hard rounds with two different sparring partners at trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in Los Angeles as he got down to the serious work for the May 2 bout.

The Filipino said that he and Roach have begun working on their strategy to hand Mayweather his first defeat when they clash at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena in the biggest non-heavyweight fight in history, The Mirror reported.

Pacquiao said that after 13 days of strength and conditioning and boxing drills at the Wild Card, plus weeks more of working out in the Philippines in February, it was great to finally put on the headgear and spar.

He insisted that his sparring partners gave him good work, adding that they were perfect for testing the strategy Roach and he have developed to beat Mayweather.

Pacquiao claimed that he was very happy with his stamina and speed. He had his first spar on St Patrick’s Day and Roach claimed he showed no signs of ring rust.

Roach joked that when Pacquiao threw out the first punch, it felt like opening day of Irish spring training, adding that the Filipino looked so fresh.

The Hall of Fame trainer said that he is very happy with what Pacquiao showed him, adding that one couldn’t tell that the Filipino had been away from the ring since the Chris Algieri fight in November.

Roach said that Pacquiao is on fire in the gym, adding that he is confident May 2 would be celebrated for years to come as “St Manny’s Day”, the day when the Filipino drove Mayweather out of boxing. (www.business-standard.com)