Top notch fight trainer Freddie Roach sat down with Boxingtalk and gave us a thorough Manny Pacquiao camp update. Roach tells Boxingtalk that Manny will go for the knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez. Roach also addresses Manny's current weight of 139 pounds, and says that it's nothing to be worried about. Additionally, Roach talks about how he will be training Bernard Hopkins in preprartion for Hopkins' bout against Joe Calzaghe.Boxingtalk – Thanks for joining us Freddie. Manny Pacquiao is gearing up for his big rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez in March. Talk about how camp is going so far.Freddie Roach – He's doing very well. I have been running with him in the morning, well... I have been running behind him in the morning, (laughs), and I can't keep up with him. I haven't seen him this excited since the first time that he fought [Marco Antonio]Barrera. We have 4 weeks to go, and he's looking very good. We had 9 rounds of sparring on Saturday, and we used 3 sparring partners. I have a strong guy to press Manny, I got a counter puncher, and I got a guy that will run, all to give Manny different looks. We know the keys to victory, and we'll show you what they are on fight night.BT – Which Marquez do you think will show up, the aggressive style or the counter puncher?FR – I think he will fight more of a counter punching style. I don't see him capable of doing that though, the first fight with Manny took something out of him. The best fight that I ever seen Marquez in was against Pacquiao, and he'll need to fight like that again.BT – Do you think that it's possible that Marquez may have a little more pressure on his back this time? Usually it's Manny having his entire nation on his shoulders. Marquez is the only active Mexican legend that Manny hasn't beat. Do you think it's possible that Marquez wants this more for his Mexican fans?FR – He might, but the thing is I think that people try to make this into a racial thing between Mexico and The Philippines. Manny loves everybody, he has Mexican fans too. Manny is more of a typical Mexican style of fighter than Marquez ever thought of being. Marquez is not a typical Mexican style fighter, he doesn't fight in the fashion that the Mexican fans like. I'll even say that I think Manny has more Mexican fans than Marquez does.BT – Come on Freddie, do you really think that?FR – Yea, it's just Manny's style. If Marquez ever fought back in the day, the Mexican fans would have booed him out of the place. They like the style of Julio Cesar Chavez, that's what Mexicans like. They like warriors like Manny Pacquiao.BT – I think you should come out with a Mexican flag shirt on then Freddie (laughs).FR – (Laughs), They might shoot me.BT – Floyd Mayweather once wore it. He loves Mexico.FR – He wants the Mexican fans too, but he doesn't have the style that they like.BT – What's the biggest difference in Manny's game this time around, as opposed to the last time he fought Marquez?FR – Manny is a more balanced fighter right now. We had great success in the early rounds in our last fight, then Marquez came back. But now, Manny knows how to adjust better. If Manny gets Marquez down this time, he'll keep him down.BT – Will Manny knockout Marquez?FR – We are going for the knockout. We have all intentions of knocking him out. After Manny's last two fights, we need to fight a great fight. We are moving up in weight and going for those titles after this fight. BT – Nick Giongco reported that Manny was 140 pounds, can you elaborate on that some?FR – We need to lose 9 lbs with a month to go, so no problem at all. He's eating good, he's running good, his discipline is good. Manny is very focused, so don't worry, we are not going to wait for the last minute to make weight, that's for sure.BT – How's sparring going so far?FR – I have a lot of sparring partners for Manny, and it's working out good. I have a new guy that comes in tomorrow, I'm told he's a clone of Marquez. I am anxious to see him. BT – Are you any closer to finalizing a deal with Bernard Hopkins?FR – Yes, Bernard will be in camp on February 20th. BT – So it's a done deal?FR – Yep, Bernard's people informed me that he'll be in camp February 20th with me.BT – Manny fights on March 12th, are there any concerns from Pacquiao's people with Bernard being in camp at the same time Manny is?FR – We can work around that. I work a long day, so I'll separate the two guys. When I go to Vegas for Manny's fight, Bernard is coming with me. BT – Interesting match up with Bernard Hopkins vs Joe Calzaghe. How do you see this fight playing out?FR – Well Bernard will have to fight a very strategic fight. If Calzaghe can keep that work rate up like he usually does, that can be effective. Bernard is a real smart fighter, and he knows how to take things away from his opponent, especially against an offensive minded guy like Calzaghe. Bernard will try to set him up into traps. There's nothing Bernard hasn't seen, but this is going to be a tough, tough, fight. Bernard knows himself, so we'll come up with a good game plan. Bernard probably knows more about boxing than the both of us.BT – Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?FR – Thanks to all of Manny's fans, and to the Mexican fans. Manny is very focused for this fight, and we are going to fight a smart fight. We are going for the knockout. I am sure Marquez is in great shape, and he better be.
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