Roach wants short PH camp for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – If Freddie Roach will have his way, Manny Pacquiao will train in the Philippines for only a short time in preparation for his third fight with Timothy Bradley.

Roach told Steve Kim of boxingscene.com that he’s leaving for Manila on February 12 and will start supervising Pacquiao’s training camp on February 14.

Pacquiao’s longtime cornerman prefers to spend much of the Filipino icon’s training camp at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Roach, however, understands that it might not be possible.

“We're trying to make it (Philippine camp) as short as possible but right now, I know Manny's still campaigning to be the senator a little bit. But I'm going to try to bring him back here (US) as soon as possible,” said Roach, aware of Pacquiao’s bid to become a senator, which could get in the way of training.

Pacquiao actually started working out last week in his hometown of General Santos City, doing roadwork and other physical exercises.

Roach also wants to hold sparring sessions in Los Angeles, but he’s ready to bring in sparring partners here in the Philippines if needed.

The names of Frankie Gomez and Jose Ramirez came up as possible sparmates for Pacquiao, who will challenge Bradley for the WBO welterweight title on April 9 in Las Vegas (April 10 Manila time).

Gomez and Ramirez are undefeated super lightweights from California sporting records of 19-0 (13 KOs) and 16-0 (12 KOs), respectively.

Roach, for his part, is prepared to stay longer in the Philippines.

“It's the usual thing Manny likes to do. We usually spend time in the Philippines for two or three weeks and then come the last four weeks here in LA,” he said.