With the fight of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. less than a month away, there are many reports circulating regarding each fighter's game plan for the big day.
As Pacquiao, 36, faces Mayweather Jr., 38, Pacman (being a left-handed boxer) may prove to be a challenge for the undefeated American. Philstar reports that Manny's signature left straight is one of the weapons coach Freddie Roach wants to strengthen.
"We did 12 rounds of left hand only. The right hand was never used," quoted the LA Times of Roach recently. Roach continued to say that the southpaw is going to be a force to reckon especially when his left is "paired with solid footwork," wrote the news outlet.
"It's about putting everything together," said the famous boxing trainer. Aside from putting more power in the politician's left straight, Roach is also sharpening Pacquiao's right hook.
"Same routine, now the opposite side. It's all about usage, muscle memory ... [Pacquiao and Mayweather] will be equal at some point [in the bout]. Manny's been favoring the right side so much now, I need to bring the left back," explained Roach.
"Oh, it's deadly," admitted Roach about Pacquiao's left straights. "Deadly. My chest is ... killing me."
The news follows earlier comment by Top Rank boxing promoter Bob Arum (via Latin Post) that Mayweather is "scared to fight left handed boxers like Pacman."
"I promoted the guy for 10 years, and I know how difficult it was to get him in the ring with any southpaw. When you talk about a southpaw who can move like Manny, that's not the kind of opponent that Mayweather feels he would do well against."
Manny Pacquiao is Improving
Many are wondering if Pacquiao is still able to deliver the killer punch given that he hasn't scored a single knockout since his fight with Miguel Cotto way back in 2009.
But Manny is responding to all his naysayers saying he believes he's grown to become an even better fighter since his loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, reports WorldBoxingNews.
"I think I have become a better fighter since my last loss," said Pacquiao ahead of his May 2 welterweight unification match with Mayweather. "The lesson I learned from my loss to Juan Manuel Marquez was patience. I got too over anxious when I had Marquez hurt...knockouts should never be forced," confessed the Filipino champ.
Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) will face off against the unblemished professional fighter Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 KOs) on May 2 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
The fight is expected to be the single largest sporting event in history.
