Pacquiao vs. Bradley 3: Freddie Roach Admits Pacquiao is 'Not The Same Guy' Who Fought Ricky Hatton
Famed trainer Freddie Roach says eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is "not the same guy" that fought and knocked out Ricky Hatton in 2009.
"Pacman" scored a one-punch stoppage in the second round of their fight, which to this day remains to be one of the most emphatic finishes in recent boxing history. Pacquiao is now 37-years old and fighting his 66th and supposed final fight against Timothy Bradley on April 9th in Las Vegas.
In an interview with Steve Kim for Boxingscene, Roach admitted that his most prized ward is beginning to show the effects of aging.
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"It's pretty much the same but he has slowed down a little bit – I will honestly say that. He's not the same guy who fought Ricky Hatton, right now," Roach said. "Of course, he's getting older and so forth but he's still very, very capable."
Pacquiao and his team are already in Los Angeles, training in Roach's Wild Card Gym in West Hollywood. As far as his progress in training goes, Roach says they are in great shape, describing their Saturday sparring session as Pacquiao's "best day yet."
Roach also commended Pacquiao's work ethic, noting how "everything else goes away" whenever the Filipino boxing icon walked in the gym.
Pacquiao had repeatedly declared in past interviews that his rubber match against Bradley would indeed be his final ring appearance after a 20-year professional career. After which, he will be concentrating on being a full-time politician in his home country of the Philippines.
Pacquiao will be running for Senator in the 2016 Philippine Elections, which is set to take place on May 9th.
But despite these statements, Roach believes Pacquiao will not be able to let go of his life as a professional prizefighter.
"(Manny) says no, he's running for Senator and it might be too much to do both," Roach said when asked if he thinks Pacquiao would indeed be retiring. "But I feel he will fight again, yes."
