Roach set for Manila camp

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach is getting ready to head to the Philippines to kick off the eight-week training camp of Manny Pacquiao, who collides with Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Roach is leaving this Sunday, the day after he turns 51, and should be in Manila on Tuesday.

He will be joined by super-welterweight Shawn Porter and super-lightweight David Rodela, who will serve as sparring partners during the Philippine phase of the training camp.

Roach and Pacquiao are actually training in the country for less than four weeks as the trainer bared that he would like to fly back to Los Angeles on April 2 to begin the Wild Card stage – the most crucial period – of the preparations.

Porter was Pacquiao’s main sparmate during the buildup to the Migel Cotto fight in 2009 because of his sheer size and speed, while Rodela had been utilized many times in the past for his resiliency.

Roach said two other sparmates are on standby and will be tapped once they get back to the Wild Card.

Conditioning coach Alex Ariza will be back after key members of Team Pacquiao apparently were able to iron out some kinks.

In fact, Roach said Ariza is on his way to Manila and is raring to start the pre-conditioning work.

Roach said there are plans for Pacquiao to spend a few days training in General Santos City before heading to the City of Pines.

The weather up in Baguio might be more conducive this time of year to training unlike in the previous stints when Team Pacquiao had to go through heavy rains, howling winds and landslides.

Source: mb.com.ph