As he readies Manny Pacquiao for his Nov. 13 fight with Antonio Margarito (on HBO pay-per-view), Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, is taking some time to talk to FOXSports.com about the preparation process from his Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
In Part 4 of four interviews, we spoke to Freddie about winding down training, the challenges of fighting Margarito and what the future looks like for Pacquiao and Roach.
FOXSports.com: What's the final week before the fight like for you guys?
Roach: Well, we sparred seven rounds (Thursday), we'll do mitts (Friday), we'll spar five rounds Saturday. Then Monday, before we leave for Texas, we'll do three rounds of sparring. We're just tapering down right now, starting to conserve energy for the fight.
FOXSports.com: What are the biggest challenges Margarito presents to Manny?
Roach: His reach advantage and his height advantage are his biggest things. But they can be taken away easily. I'm really not worried about this fight.
FOXSports.com: What does Margarito do best as a fighter?
Roach: He takes a good punch.
FOXSports.com: Have you been able to see any differences in him since he switched trainers?
Roach: It seems like Robert (Garcia) is doing a good job with him. He's only fought one fight with so far. He fought a mediocre guy in Roberto Garcia. Tough guy, but he did what he had to do to win. The thing is, once he gets hit he's going to revert back to what he is, because he's been doing this a long time and it's impossible to change somebody. So I feel once Manny lands the first punch, he'll be the same Margarito we've always seen. He'll come forward and be aggressive.
FOXSports.com: Margarito says this is a redemption fight for him. Do you fight any differently against him in this situation? Is he more dangerous if he's seeking redemption?
Roach: Well, we're not going to fight a stupid fight. We're not looking for a knockout. If it happens, it happens. We're going to fight a tactical fight. We're going to use our footwork and speed. I think we'll dominate him with ease. I don't see this being a difficult fight.
FOXSports.com: After all he's accomplished, what do you think motivates Manny in the ring now? How does he stay hungry?
Roach: His countrymen, being proud for his people. Now, obviously, he's into politics. The more he keeps winning, the more popular he gets, and the more votes he gets. So there's a lot of factors. Everything comes down to he does it for his countrymen and making his people proud.
FOXSports.com: Why is he able to do something, like fight for titles in eight weight classes, that others can't do?
Roach: Well, the best of any era, they usually dominate at a lot of different weight divisions, because that's where the challenges are. We're fighting at 148 pounds, and we're going to come off the scale at 148. We're not going to change. We're not fighting at our normal weight class. But after Margarito, if (Floyd) Mayweather doesn't come to the table, the only place to go is up to 160. That's where the challenges are.
FOXSports.com: Having trained Manny for so long, how do you keep things fresh in the gym? Do you change things up at all during training?
Roach: Yeah, of course. We keep it fresh and fun. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun doing it. It's not work, it's something we enjoy.
FOXSports.com: What do you think Manny has left to accomplish as a fighter?
Roach: He's accomplished becoming one of the greatest fighters of all time, and he's definitely the greatest fighter of his era.
FOXSports.com: What about yourself as a trainer? Do you have any goals you haven't reached yet?
Roach: No. I like to win, and I'd like to have more and more world champions. So I'm going to keep working. If Manny does retire some day, I'll be happy for him but I'll go on.
