Hand Clottey 1st KO loss is Roach’s birthday wish

Freddie Roach never made it a secret as to what his wish was when he celebrated his golden year Friday. “Knock Clottey out," he said point blank in answering the question. And Manny Pacquiao, who stakes his welterweight crown against Joshua Clottey next week in Texas, was more than willing to oblige judging from the way he did his routine in training at the Wild Card gym. For about an hour, the deadly Filipino southpaw pummeled Roach non-stop for 15 rounds in their mitts session, letting out punches as solid as rock that had the four-time Trainer of the Year working double time on his birthday. “Big shot. Perfect condition," Roach hollered at one instant when Pacquiao connected on a 1-2 combination before quickly sliding to his side and avoiding any contact from his trainer. While working on their fight plan, Roach repeatedly reminded the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter today to keep his distance away from the 5-foot-8 challenger from Ghana. “Don’t stay too close to him. Avoid that hook," Roach stressed. Pacquiao’s long-time American trainer has been open about his desire to inflict Clottey’s first knockout loss in his pro career. Roach has predicted a late knockout in the ninth round, although he admitted he’ll be much happier if the knockout comes in the opening round, impossible as it may seem. He was very pleased with the way Pacquiao had been moving and dancing in the ring on the final days of their training camp that he hollered to him, “kill that body now," ordering the 31-year old champion to hit him in the mid-section the way he’ll do against Clottey on fight night. So overwhelmed Pacquiao was during the training, he refused to let up even when the session was over, hitting Roach with a 1-2-3 combination at a time when the multi-titled trainer was no longer wearing his body protector. “Make it 26 rounds," he told Roach and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez. To which Roach replied, “No Mas. Get yourself some drink." Later on, Pacquiao led all well-wishers in singing `Happy Birthday’ to Roach, whom he presented with a birthday cake at the center of the ring. As the famed training gym was abuzz with activities, Roach’s guests partook a small serving of Filipino foods comprised of pansit, lumpiang shanghai, kalderetang baka, adobong manok, rice and fruits. “I wish him all the best and more birthdays to come. That God would give him strength of body and spirit, and more blessings to come," said Pacquiao in wishing his beloved trainer on his special day. Two more well-known personalities at the Wildcard gym also expressed gratitude to Roach for all the good things he did on them. “Thanks for all the great things you did to me in the past 20 years," said Rob Peters, the trusted head of security of the famous boxing gym in L.A. “Without you Freddie, I wouldn’t be here today. I am so much grateful for making me the conditioning coach that I am today," Alex Ariza said for his part. – GMANews.TV