Roach gives Pacquiao a passing mark

With training camp for his upcoming title fight not yet formally on the go, Manny Pacquiao already got a passing mark from no less than trainer Freddie Roach. Reunited with his famed boxer Monday after six long months, Roach was very satisfied with what he saw following a two-hour workout with the Filipino boxing icon at the Elorde boxing gym in Quezon City. After doing seven rounds with the mitts, Roach came down from the ring convinced that the world’s pound-for-pound king hardly lost a step despite not being active following his unanimous 12-round decision over Joshua Clottey last March. “We had a very good start," said Roach, who plunged outright into the ring less than 48 hours since arriving in the country Sunday. “We didn’t rest in between rounds. Manny already knows what to do with that guy (Margarito)." The showdown with the 5-foot-11 Margarito is set Nov. 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, giving Pacquiao and Roach at least eight good weeks to train and be in shape for the bout where the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light-middleweight title is at stake. Training camp kicks off either on Wednesday or Thursday in the mountains of Baguio City, which will serve home for Pacquiao and his group for the next four weeks. By mid-October, Pacquiao and Co., travel to Los Angeles, California and resume training at the Wild Card gym for the remaining weeks. Roach came over with sparring partners Glen Tapia and Michael Medina, both of whom also worked out at the gym Monday. Training had to be moved two hours later as Pacquiao was caught up in heavy traffic at the Southern Luzon Expressway since the boxing champion came all the way from his home in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. But the hassle hardly affected the boxer-turned congressman as he was all smiles during the workout. Shortly after, Pacquiao admitted he’s still a bit slow and has yet to get his timing, although he expects to get better once training camp gets into full swing. Roach said sparring session starts next week and will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Two more other sparring mates in Vanes Martirosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are expected to arrive here in two weeks time. - RCJ, GMANews.TV