Roach expects fireworks in Pacquiao-Margarito bout

Roach expects fireworks in Pacquiao-Margarito bout Convinced that Manny Pacquiao is back to his deadly form, Freddie Roach expects fireworks to explode once the opening bell rings in his 12-round title fight against Antonio Margarito. And who else would prevail in such a toe-to-toe battle but the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter according to the four-time Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). “We will knock this guy out, I promise you," said Roach, who previously declared that the 31-year-old punching machine from General Santos City will take out his 5-foot-11 opponent inside eight rounds. “I see this fight as an easy fight, and right now with the way Manny’s working, I don’t see any problems." Roach anticipates that Margarito, being a known slugger who comes forward and throws punches in a bunch, and trainer Robert Garciawill try to jump on Pacquiao right away. “He’s going to be aggressive and come after us and try to get our respect," said Roach of the possible scenario in the first round’s opening minutes of the fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-welterweight championship. Although known as a slow starter, Margarito coming out aggressively and taking the fight to Pacquiao early on could backfire against the Mexican. Engaging one of the greatest southpaws in the history of boxing in a virtual slugfest isn’t an ideal fight plan especially in a bout of this magnitude. “He’s going to walk into Manny’s power and he’s going to feel it. It’s going to change the course of the fight," added Roach, who said that the 32-year-old Margarito is a boxer with ‘terrible footwork.’ “I want Manny to show this guy that we mean business and get him off-balance because this guy’s footwork is terrible and it will show in the fight. He crosses his feet, he walks around the ring and doesn’t have the traditional footwork of a boxer. He gets off-balance and when he is off-balance, he doesn’t have any power." Pacquiao sparred with Rashad Holloway, David Rodela and Rey Beltran on Thursday (Friday in Manila). He is next scheduled for five rounds of sparring on Saturday and either three of four by Monday before the group — numbering around 200 — leaves for Arlington, Texas later in the afternoon aboard a chartered 757-Boeing aircraft. As for Roach, he can’t wait for the fight to finally start. “Manny knows the game plan. We will beat him to the punch every time. He is very slow. We watched his tapes and he is very easily read and makes the same bad habits every time he reaches for punches," he said. “Manny Pacquiao will kick his ass." – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV