Roach wants Pacman to spend time with family — for now

Fully aware that the next eight weeks will be a tough one for boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach has one piece of advice for the world’s pound-for-pound king. “Spend time with your family first," said the four-time Trainer of the Year. “By Monday, the hard grind begins." Setting their sights on kicking off training camp for the May 7 title fight against Sugar Shane Mosley, Roach and Pacquiao agreed to scrap a planned few days of workout in Manila, and instead, will set everything in motion Monday when they pitch camp in Baguio City. With four more days of rest, the Sarangani congressman left for General Santos City Thursday morning, aiming to return to Manila by Saturday evening. On Sunday, it’s off to Baguio for the boxing champion and the rest of his entourage. The high-altitude training worked favorably for the 32-year-old Pacquiao in his fights against Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, both of whom he easily beat in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The fighting congressman hopes the magic works again, as he gears up for a 12-round showdown with the 39-year-old Mosley at the MGM Grand where the Filipino’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title will be at stake. Roach has reminded Pacquiao not to take the aging American boxer for granted, since the 51-year-old trainer still considers him as a very 'dangerous opponent’ despite his advanced age. “We will be preparing for a hungry and possibly he best Mosley, the one who knocked out (Antonio) Margarito," said Roach, referring to the ninth round destruction Mosley inflicted on the Mexican boxer in their 2009 title encounter. But Pacquiao already assured Roach that even if training camp has yet to begin, he is already keeping himself in shape by doing roadwork in the morning, spending time in the gym in the afternoon under the supervision of long-time Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez, and playing basketball at night when time permits. Roach plans to stay four weeks in Baguio, and then transfer training camp to the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles for the final stretch of the eight-week preparation. - KY, RCJ, GMA News