Roach: No problem with Manny’s weight

Manny Pacquiao is going for a knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez.
But first, he’s got to make weight.
Freddie Roach, the trainer, said Sunday in Los Angeles that Pacquiao could and should accomplish both.
Roach told boxingtalk.com that he sees no problem with the Filipino boxer making the 130 lbs even if he’s still nine pounds over the limit with less than four weeks left before the fight.
“Nine pounds (139) with a month to go. No problem. We won’t be needing the last minute to make weight,” Roach said in an interview posted by boxing chronicler Brad Cooney.
Roach said Pacquiao is doing great in training as they head toward the last few weeks before the anticipated March 15 rematch at the 12,000-seat Events Center of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
“He’s eating good. He’s running good. He’s very focused,” said Roach, who expects Marquez, the reigning WBC super-featherweight champion from Mexico, to be at his peak, too.
“I’m sure Marquez is in great shape because he better be,” said Roach, adding that the 2004 draw between the two fighters, and the next one should be “a hard fight for both.”
Roach added, “We have a good four weeks to go. We’re just trying to cover all bases.”
And a knockout?
Roach said Manny is going for it.
While Pacquiao’s weight is turning out to be a weighty issue, as weighty as when he fought Marco Antonio Barrera last October, Marquez weight is definitely in check.
The 34-year-old champion was weighed in Mexico last week at 132.38 lbs with still four weeks left in training. He skips a couple of meals and he’s inside the super-featherweight limit.
By this time, Pacquiao should have a weighing scale in his bedside.