Roach wants a closed-door training session for Pacquiao

BAGUIO CITY – Trainer Freddie Roach had enough. With boxing champion Manny Pacquiao's training camp fast becoming a circus, the celebrated trainer is finally putting his foot down. He is determined to enforce strict rules when the Filipino southpaw resumes his preparation this week for his Nov. 13 title fight with Antonio Margarito of Mexico. First, Pacquiao’s sparring sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday, will be closed to the public. “I will have to shut the doors," said the 50-year-old Roach, who didn’t hide his displeasure over the presence of so many people inside the Shape Up gym at the Cooyesan Hotel when Pacquiao sparred for four rounds against Mexican Michael Medina last Saturday. “I’m gonna change things a little bit," Roach added with conviction. And no one is exempted. Already, Roach has prohibited the HBO crew from taking videos of Pacquiao while sparring and working on the mitts in training camp. The crew of the award-winning American cable channel arrived in the summer capital Sunday to begin filming parts of its 24-7 boxing series as part of the promotional hype for the Pacquiao-Margarito duel at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Only six weeks are left for Roach and his staff to get Pacquiao in shape against the biggest opponent he’ll ever face in his 15-year pro career. And so far, the world’s top-pound-for-pound fighter had sparred for just eight rounds, including the one against Medina the other day. The 31-year-old southpaw even had to leave for Manila shortly after Saturday’s sparring session to attend the birthday celebration of his daughter Princess, who turned a year older last week. The congressman from the province of Sarangani then attended a sportsfest among military men held at Camp Crame Sunday, where he was the special guest of honor. Asked when Pacquiao will be coming back, Roach said he has no idea. “He just told me he will return. Whether it will be early Sunday evening or early Monday morning, I don’t know," Roach said. “But we’re not kids anymore." - KY/RCJ, GMANews.TV