Manny Pacquiao completed his first week of training camp at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, and trainer Freddie Roach had nothing but praises for his prized fighter, who is set to face Timothy Bradley on April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Roach told BoxingScene that Pacquiao was slowed down by jetlag during the first few days of camp in Los Angeles, but the former pound-for-pound king managed to get back on track quickly.
"Manny started the week a little slow due to jetlag but finished off strong on Saturday," Roach said. "He was just brilliant in his sparring on Saturday. His footwork was effortless, his hand speed was blazing and his power is as good as it's ever been."
Roach then revealed that Pacquiao is backing up his words in training camp, saying that the former pound-for-pound king is definitely determined to prove his doubters wrong, including Bradley.
The Hall of Fame trainer said that Pacquiao will go for the kill in his rematch against Bradley.
And if the undefeated WBO welterweight champion tried to run like he did during their first showdown in June 2012, Roach stressed that Pacquiao is ready to chase him continuously.
"We are training for big game in this fight," Roach said. "Manny knows he is going to have to hunt Bradley down and close the show this time. The first fight with Bradley was so easy for Manny that after six rounds he just took it easy on him. Not this time. Our Mantra is 'Close the show. No mercy.' You don't have don't have to be a groundhog to know that Bradley's days as welterweight champ are numbered."
Roach also recognized that Pacquiao is also nearing retirement, but the 2013 Trainer of the Year guaranteed that Pacquiao will be on top of his game in his remaining fights, adding that Pacquiao will retire as a world champion.
"We decided no matter how many fights we have remaining, we are determined to run the table and win every one. And when it is over it is going to be as world champion. And that can only happen with a total and absolute victory over Bradley," Roach stressed.
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