Alabama will be hosting 2024 DL Champ Thompson for a visit!
Alabama has begun its pursuit of promising recruits in the 2024 recruiting cycle. The Tide recently landed a commitment from 2024 tight end Martavious Collins. They also appear to be in good standing with several other recruits. One of whom is defensive lineman Champ Thompson. He is planning on taking a visit to Tuscaloosa on Monday, July 25.
Earlier this month, Thompson released his top-ten schools. The ten programs that were listed include Clemson, Texas, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Georgia and Miami. He also recently added Notre Dame and Penn State to his list of potential programs.
His lone visit so far was to Georgia Tech.
Thompson is being recruited primarily by Charles Kelly and Freddie Roach. The product of Meadowcreek High School is listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. It is unclear how the Tide’s coaching staff would play Thompson along the interior or off the edge of the defensive line.
In the coming years, it will be essential for Alabama to out-recruit Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs for talented prospects out of Georgia. As of right now, Clemson has a slight lead at a 37.7% likelihood to land Thompson, according to On3’s RPM. Georgia has the second-best odds at 17.3% and Alabama comes in third at 14.8%. Still, Alabama is expected to be firmly in the mix.
What direction the coaching staff may head after losing out on 2023 five-star defensive lineman Peter Woods?
Fev-star defensive lineman Peter Woods was expected to stay at home and play for Alabama. He made his commitment on Friday and it wasn’t good news for Crimson Tide fans. Woods chose Clemson with family and friends in attendance at Thompson High School. He cited his relationship with defensive line coach Nick Eason had a lot to do with him committing to the Tigers.
It wasn’t the first in-state defensive lineman that the coaching staff has lost out on in recent years. Several other promising prospects that come to mind are Justice Finkley, Lee Hunter and Jayson Jones. After losing out on five-star Peter Woods, one question remains: Where will the coaching staff turn to now?
Below, Roll Tide Wire provides several of the Tide’s priority targets for the foreseeable future and what the odds are that each land in Tuscaloosa. Read more to find out the direction that the program will head in after missing out on the talented in-state defensive lineman.
Alabama has made the cut for one of the state’s top defensive linemen.
Hunter Osborne is a four-star defensive lineman homegrown right here in Alabama, in the town of Trussville.
The tenth-ranked player in the state of Alabama for the 2023 recruiting cycle waited a long time to receive his scholarship offer from Alabama, but once the offer came in, he was surely elated.
Alabama football head coach Nick Saban had some choice words to say about the in-state prospect, even going so far as to compare him to former Crimson Tide standout Jonathan Allen, who excelled at the position.
Back in January, Osborne received his much-anticipated offer from Saban himself during a visit to Tuscaloosa.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive lineman is coming off a junior season at Hewitt-Trussville High School in which he piled up 74 tackles, including 10 for a loss and 5.5 sacks, to go with 16 quarterback hurries and nine pass breakups.
Earlier this morning, the versatile lineman narrowed down the number of schools he is willing to play for to 10, and the Crimson Tide is included.
Osborne was scheduled to visit with Alabama again this weekend, but the trip was recently rescheduled to later this month.
The Southeastern Conference is heavily represented in Osborne’s latest recruitment preference update. The Crimson Tide will be competing with conference rivals Georgia, LSU, Auburn and Florida in the recruitment of one of the state’s best recruits.
Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for more recruiting updates for the Crimson Tide.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.
Building greatness: Five fights that define Manny Pacquiao.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in April of last year. We’re posting it again after Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing.
Greatness is achieved step by painstaking step over a substantial period of time.
Few get there. And those who do can generally point to defining victories that served as those rare stepping stones that lead directly to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. All great fighters have that in common.
With that in mind, Boxing Junkie is initiating an occasional series called “Building Greatness,” in which we select a special fighter and provide five stepping-stone victories that demonstrated his greatness.
Our first subject: Manny Pacquiao, who over more than two decades proved over and over again that he is one of the best fighters of all time.
Here are five fights that helped define him:
LEHLO LEDWABA
Manny Paquiao (right) arrived as an important fight by knocking out Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001. Jed Jacobsohn / Allsport
Date / site: June 23, 2001 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas Division: Junior featherweight Records: Pacquiao 32-2; Ledwaba 33-1-1 At stake: Ledwaba’s IBF title Result: Pacquiao TKO 6 Background: Ledwaba, a talented South African, was one of the hottest fighters in the world when he agreed to defend his 122-pound title against Pacquiao on the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Javier Castillejo card. Some believed he was a future pound-for-pounder. Pacquiao? Trainer Freddie Roach had an inkling that his little Filipino was special but few others were aware of his potential. Until this fight. Pacquiao, throwing quick, hard punches from impossible angles and at a remarkable rate, stunned Ledwaba and everyone watching by dominating the champion in every conceivable way en route to a spectacular knockout. Pacquiao won every round on all three cards through five rounds. The future Hall of Famer was a secret no more. He had arrived.
***
MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA
Pacquiao returned to a homecoming parade after his first victory over Marco Antonio Barrera. Joel Nito / AFP via Getty Images
Date / site: Nov. 15, 2003 / Alamodome, San Antonio Division: Featherweight Records: Pacquiao 37-2-1; Barrera 57-3 At stake: Nothing Result: Pacquiao TKO 11 Background: This was only the first of Pacquiao’s nine fights against one of the great Mexican trio of Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez. But he proved in this fight — the main event at the Alamodome — that he was capable of dominating a truly great opponent. Pacquiao, too fast, too powerful, too good for Barrera, had wide leads on all three cards and was pounding Barrera at will when the victim’s corner ended the slaughter with four seconds remaining in the penultimate round. “This is a fight that will shake up the boxing world,” HBO commentator Larry Merchant said toward the end of the fight. And indeed it did. A star was born that night. Pacquiao would end up with a record of 6-2-1 against the Mexican Hall of Famers.
***
OSCAR DE LA HOYA
Pacquiao (right) established himself as a superstar with his victory over Oscar De La Hoya. AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill
Date / site: Dec. 6, 2008 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas Division: Welterweight Records: Pacquiao 47-3-2; De La Hoya 39-5 At stake: Nothing Result: Pacquiao TKO 8 Background: In retrospect, Pacquiao’s knockout victory over De La Hoya makes sense. The Mexican-American superstar was 35, in decline and dropped considerable weight to make the fight happen. However, at the time, it was difficult to imagine the diminutive Pacquiao beating such a gifted, experienced and naturally bigger opponent. We learned quickly that the young, dynamic Filipino was too much for this version of De La Hoya, who had neither the reflexes nor wherewithal to cope with Pacquiao’s speed and accurate punching. He battered his one-time idol for eight rounds – losing only one round on one card – before De La Hoya’s handlers decided enough was enough and he didn’t come out for Round 9. The victory proved to be Pacquiao’s threshold to superstardom.
***
MIGUEL COTTO
Miguel Cottos face tells the story of his one-sided fight against Pacquiao. Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images
Date / site: Nov. 14, 2009 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas Division: Welterweight Records: Pacquiao 49-3-2; Cotto 34-1 At stake: Cotto’s WBO title Result: Pacquiao TKO 12 Background: Pacquiao followed his stunning victory over De La Hoya with perhaps his greatest knockout, a breathtaking, one-punch stoppage of the durable Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009. However, his victory over Cotto was more important. The Puerto Rican had built a reputation as one of the best fighters in the world over the previous half decade. And, frankly, Pacquiao had his way with him. Cotto felt Pacquiao’s power early – going down in Rounds 3 and 4 – and had no appetite to exchange punches from then on. Instead, he turned to his formidable skill set and dancing ability but even that failed him in the end. Cotto, his face a battered mess, was taking a pounding when referee Kenny Bayless finally stopped the fight.
***
KEITH THURMAN
Pacquiao (right) fooled those who though he was too old by outpointing Keith Thurman last year. John Gurzinski / AFP via Getty Images
Date / site: July 20, 2019 Division: Welterweight Records: Pacquiao 61-7-2; Thurman 29-0 At stake: Thurman’s WBA title Result: Pacquiao SD 12 Background: Pacquiao had many more-dominating performances than this one in his nearly quarter-century career. The elements that made this one special? Pacquiao’s age (40) and Thurman’s perceived ability. Pacquiao certainly wasn’t a has-been, having beaten Adrien Broner in his previous fight, but he was relatively old, couldn’t fight at the same pace he once did and was a small 147-pounder. All that figured to work in favor of Thurman, a big, strong welterweight who was in the second fight of a comeback from injuries. Turned out that even a diminished version of Pacquiao could still beat an elite 147-pounder. Pacquiao got off to a quick start by putting Thurman down in Round 1 and then fought in energy-conserving bursts to win rounds and ultimate the fight, albeit by a narrow margin. Surprise, surprise. The great one still had more to give.
Building greatness: Five fights that define Manny Pacquiao.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in April of last year. We’re posting it again after Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing.
Greatness is achieved step by painstaking step over a substantial period of time.
Few get there. And those who do can generally point to defining victories that served as those rare stepping stones that lead directly to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. All great fighters have that in common.
With that in mind, Boxing Junkie is initiating an occasional series called “Building Greatness,” in which we select a special fighter and provide five stepping-stone victories that demonstrated his greatness.
Our first subject: Manny Pacquiao, who over more than two decades proved over and over again that he is one of the best fighters of all time.
Here are five fights that helped define him:
LEHLO LEDWABA
Manny Paquiao (right) arrived as an important fight by knocking out Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001. Jed Jacobsohn / Allsport
Date / site: June 23, 2001 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas Division: Junior featherweight Records: Pacquiao 32-2; Ledwaba 33-1-1 At stake: Ledwaba’s IBF title Result: Pacquiao TKO 6 Background: Ledwaba, a talented South African, was one of the hottest fighters in the world when he agreed to defend his 122-pound title against Pacquiao on the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Javier Castillejo card. Some believed he was a future pound-for-pounder. Pacquiao? Trainer Freddie Roach had an inkling that his little Filipino was special but few others were aware of his potential. Until this fight. Pacquiao, throwing quick, hard punches from impossible angles and at a remarkable rate, stunned Ledwaba and everyone watching by dominating the champion in every conceivable way en route to a spectacular knockout. Pacquiao won every round on all three cards through five rounds. The future Hall of Famer was a secret no more. He had arrived.
***
MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA
Pacquiao returned to a homecoming parade after his first victory over Marco Antonio Barrera. Joel Nito / AFP via Getty Images
Date / site: Nov. 15, 2003 / Alamodome, San Antonio Division: Featherweight Records: Pacquiao 37-2-1; Barrera 57-3 At stake: Nothing Result: Pacquiao TKO 11 Background: This was only the first of Pacquiao’s nine fights against one of the great Mexican trio of Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez. But he proved in this fight — the main event at the Alamodome — that he was capable of dominating a truly great opponent. Pacquiao, too fast, too powerful, too good for Barrera, had wide leads on all three cards and was pounding Barrera at will when the victim’s corner ended the slaughter with four seconds remaining in the penultimate round. “This is a fight that will shake up the boxing world,” HBO commentator Larry Merchant said toward the end of the fight. And indeed it did. A star was born that night. Pacquiao would end up with a record of 6-2-1 against the Mexican Hall of Famers.
***
OSCAR DE LA HOYA
Pacquiao (right) established himself as a superstar with his victory over Oscar De La Hoya. AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill
Date / site: Dec. 6, 2008 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas Division: Welterweight Records: Pacquiao 47-3-2; De La Hoya 39-5 At stake: Nothing Result: Pacquiao TKO 8 Background: In retrospect, Pacquiao’s knockout victory over De La Hoya makes sense. The Mexican-American superstar was 35, in decline and dropped considerable weight to make the fight happen. However, at the time, it was difficult to imagine the diminutive Pacquiao beating such a gifted, experienced and naturally bigger opponent. We learned quickly that the young, dynamic Filipino was too much for this version of De La Hoya, who had neither the reflexes nor wherewithal to cope with Pacquiao’s speed and accurate punching. He battered his one-time idol for eight rounds – losing only one round on one card – before De La Hoya’s handlers decided enough was enough and he didn’t come out for Round 9. The victory proved to be Pacquiao’s threshold to superstardom.
***
MIGUEL COTTO
Miguel Cottos face tells the story of his one-sided fight against Pacquiao. Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images
Date / site: Nov. 14, 2009 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas Division: Welterweight Records: Pacquiao 49-3-2; Cotto 34-1 At stake: Cotto’s WBO title Result: Pacquiao TKO 12 Background: Pacquiao followed his stunning victory over De La Hoya with perhaps his greatest knockout, a breathtaking, one-punch stoppage of the durable Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009. However, his victory over Cotto was more important. The Puerto Rican had built a reputation as one of the best fighters in the world over the previous half decade. And, frankly, Pacquiao had his way with him. Cotto felt Pacquiao’s power early – going down in Rounds 3 and 4 – and had no appetite to exchange punches from then on. Instead, he turned to his formidable skill set and dancing ability but even that failed him in the end. Cotto, his face a battered mess, was taking a pounding when referee Kenny Bayless finally stopped the fight.
***
KEITH THURMAN
Pacquiao (right) fooled those who though he was too old by outpointing Keith Thurman last year. John Gurzinski / AFP via Getty Images
Date / site: July 20, 2019 Division: Welterweight Records: Pacquiao 61-7-2; Thurman 29-0 At stake: Thurman’s WBA title Result: Pacquiao SD 12 Background: Pacquiao had many more-dominating performances than this one in his nearly quarter-century career. The elements that made this one special? Pacquiao’s age (40) and Thurman’s perceived ability. Pacquiao certainly wasn’t a has-been, having beaten Adrien Broner in his previous fight, but he was relatively old, couldn’t fight at the same pace he once did and was a small 147-pounder. All that figured to work in favor of Thurman, a big, strong welterweight who was in the second fight of a comeback from injuries. Turned out that even a diminished version of Pacquiao could still beat an elite 147-pounder. Pacquiao got off to a quick start by putting Thurman down in Round 1 and then fought in energy-conserving bursts to win rounds and ultimate the fight, albeit by a narrow margin. Surprise, surprise. The great one still had more to give.
An in-depth evaluation of Alabama’s 2022 5-star EDGE commit Jeremiah Alexander!
When it rains, it pours. But when it’s Alabama football gaining yet another 5-star recruit, it can seem to other fanbases like more of a supercell thunderstorm, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Jeremiah Alexander has just Committed to Alabama, he tells @On3Recruits
The #9 Player in the Class of 2022 (#1 Edge) chose the Crimson Tide over Clemson
It’s true that five-star EDGE Jeremiah Alexander committed two months ago, but it’s never too late to provide a proper evaluation prior to his arrival on campus in the Spring or Fall semester of 2022.
Vitals
Height
6-2
Weight
235 pounds
Location
Alabaster, AL
Class
2022
Rating
5-star
Rankings
No. 11 Overall, No. 1 EDGE (247Sports Composite)
Evaluation
Alexander has an innate ability to diagnose offensive schemes. When reviewing the tape you’ll notice that he stays true to his reads, and covers his assigned gaps efficiently. Rarely will you see a mistake in his consequential first step. He uses his heavy hands to effectively fight off blockers to get in position to make plays. Developmentally he has improved on his pass rush year-after-year, with room to improve even further. Speed and power are not lost in Jeremiah’s game, he is fast off the snap, at an average of 0.64 seconds to cross the line of scrimmage after the snap, by my count. His build is already ideal for the college level at 235 pounds. Expect him to be in the rotation very early for the Crimson Tide.
His current high school, Thompson, runs a defense not unlike the Alabama defense. The setup is a base 3-4 with two gap responsibility for the stand-up linebackers. Alexander has an ideal build and skill-set to be a SAM (or strong-side linebacker) in the Crimson Tide’s base package. At the high school level he has shown that he can cover a tight end in passing situations, push through blockers and disengage on command with his pass rush and fill his assigned gaps in the run game. These qualities are paramount to succeed in the defense he will participate in at Alabama.
Expectations and when he could start
In his first year on campus, it’s possible that he’ll be competing with Drew Sanders and Dallas Turner for a starting spot at SAM. I see him contributing via rotation immediately, however, I don’t expect him to start until he has at least a year under his belt. He has the potential to be an early-round draft pick, easily. All he will have to do is trust the process and buckle down. He needs to be ready and willing to learn and adapt.
This addition to the 2022 recruiting class should be exciting for all Tide fans. The potential in Jeremiah Alexander is immense, and he should not disappoint.
Keep us close for up-to-the-minute recruiting news and updates, and general information.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29
Freddie Roach admitted that Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Errol Spence Jr. on Aug. 21 might be Pacquiao’s last.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
***
Manny Pacquiao’s entrusted trainer Freddie Roach reiterated his belief that the former eight-weight world champion’s boxing career is winding down. But he maintained that whether or not welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. ends up being his final opponent on Aug. 21, the Filipino is coming to Las Vegas to win.
Pacquiao has been no stranger to Sin City, competing there for the first time back in 2001 with a sixth-round victory against Lehlo Ledwaba. Few would have predicted that a further 20 years at the apex of boxing would follow, nor a title shot against Errol Spence Jr., a man 11 years younger.
Yet the story remains that Pacman is consistently jabbing father time away as Roach insists his client is still as versatile as the fighter he first met many years ago.
“Manny doesn’t need to play his golden oldies. He is still producing new hits,” Roach told BoxingScene.com. “He hasn’t cut one corner in training camp. not one. He runs up the hills in Griffith Park straight to the Hollywood sign. He crunches thousands of sit-ups daily. He spars three days each week and hits every bag on the gym floor with bad intentions every day.
“He is still the hardest worker I have ever trained and an eager student. He wants this one more than anything. Manny isn’t training this hard to say goodbye. It’s to prove he’s still here.
“Philippine politics might influence when Manny hangs up his gloves. Maybe this is Manny’s last fight. But this summer, he has been training for his greatest victory, and for Manny, that is saying something. It’s the stuff that greatness is made of.”
This wouldn’t be the first time he’s proved critics wrong. Keith Thurman knows all too well just how determined Pacquiao is in his advancing years, having dropped his world welterweight belt to him via a split decision in 2019.
The future remains very much open for Pacquiao whatever the outcome at T-Mobile Arena. Victory adds yet more grandeur to a fantasy-like resume and the opportunity to extend his career well into his 40s, if he so desires.
Otherwise he is not short of other ventures once citing a desire to own an NBA franchise after hanging up his gloves, alongside his growing interest in his homeland’s political landscape.
Freddie Roach admitted that Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Errol Spence Jr. on Aug. 21 might be Pacquiao’s last.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
***
Manny Pacquiao’s entrusted trainer Freddie Roach reiterated his belief that the former eight-weight world champion’s boxing career is winding down. But he maintained that whether or not welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. ends up being his final opponent on Aug. 21, the Filipino is coming to Las Vegas to win.
Pacquiao has been no stranger to Sin City, competing there for the first time back in 2001 with a sixth-round victory against Lehlo Ledwaba. Few would have predicted that a further 20 years at the apex of boxing would follow, nor a title shot against Errol Spence Jr., a man 11 years younger.
Yet the story remains that Pacman is consistently jabbing father time away as Roach insists his client is still as versatile as the fighter he first met many years ago.
“Manny doesn’t need to play his golden oldies. He is still producing new hits,” Roach told BoxingScene.com. “He hasn’t cut one corner in training camp. not one. He runs up the hills in Griffith Park straight to the Hollywood sign. He crunches thousands of sit-ups daily. He spars three days each week and hits every bag on the gym floor with bad intentions every day.
“He is still the hardest worker I have ever trained and an eager student. He wants this one more than anything. Manny isn’t training this hard to say goodbye. It’s to prove he’s still here.
“Philippine politics might influence when Manny hangs up his gloves. Maybe this is Manny’s last fight. But this summer, he has been training for his greatest victory, and for Manny, that is saying something. It’s the stuff that greatness is made of.”
This wouldn’t be the first time he’s proved critics wrong. Keith Thurman knows all too well just how determined Pacquiao is in his advancing years, having dropped his world welterweight belt to him via a split decision in 2019.
The future remains very much open for Pacquiao whatever the outcome at T-Mobile Arena. Victory adds yet more grandeur to a fantasy-like resume and the opportunity to extend his career well into his 40s, if he so desires.
Otherwise he is not short of other ventures once citing a desire to own an NBA franchise after hanging up his gloves, alongside his growing interest in his homeland’s political landscape.
Could Manny Pacquiao’s punching power be key against the favored Errol Spence on Aug. 21 in Las Vegas?
Manny Pacquiao hasn’t been a power puncher as welterweight. In 18 fights above 140 pounds, he has only three knockouts in 14 victories.
The Filipino icon’s pop played a role in his most-recent fight, though. He put Keith Thurman down in the opening round to set the tone for that bout and went on to win a split decision and a 147-pound title in July 2019.
And his longtime trainer, Freddie Roach, believes his protégé’s power could play a role in his pay-per-view challenge of beltholder Errol Spence Jr. on Aug. 21 in Las Vegas.
“I told Manny that knocking down Keith Thurman early gave him a lot of momentum in that fight, and I’d like to see that again in this fight,” Roach said Wednesday. “He knows that he has to use his speed to do that. He understands completely what I want.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF7w98qiOio&t=46s
Roach said Pacquiao also has shown in sparring that he can still land big shots, which is a good sign for him.
“He had probably his best sparring yesterday (Tuesday),” he said. “We went 10 rounds and he got two knockdowns. It was the old Manny Pacquiao from 10 years ago.
“He’s not as big of a puncher usually at welterweight, but those knockdowns yesterday were a great boost for him.”
That said, Roach and Co. recognize that Spence, a big, strong welterweight, can hurt any opponent.
Thus, a mistake could cost Pacquiao dearly, as it did when he was stopped by one punch from rival Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. Roach has emphasized in training the necessity for Pacquiao to continually move.
“Spence is a good boxer, but he’s a very good puncher,” Roach said. “We know that when we get inside, we have to be smart getting back outside. It has to be quick combinations and then out right away.”
So how does Roach think the fight will play out? In Pacquiao’s favor.
“I think Manny is going to outbox Spence,” he said. “His footspeed is unbelievable and much better than his opponent’s. Spence follows you around and is heavy on his feet. He seems very set to the ground.
“Manny’s speed will overwhelm him. I’m really happy with the game plan so far.”
Could Manny Pacquiao’s punching power be key against the favored Errol Spence on Aug. 21 in Las Vegas?
Manny Pacquiao hasn’t been a power puncher as welterweight. In 18 fights above 140 pounds, he has only three knockouts in 14 victories.
The Filipino icon’s pop played a role in his most-recent fight, though. He put Keith Thurman down in the opening round to set the tone for that bout and went on to win a split decision and a 147-pound title in July 2019.
And his longtime trainer, Freddie Roach, believes his protégé’s power could play a role in his pay-per-view challenge of beltholder Errol Spence Jr. on Aug. 21 in Las Vegas.
“I told Manny that knocking down Keith Thurman early gave him a lot of momentum in that fight, and I’d like to see that again in this fight,” Roach said Wednesday. “He knows that he has to use his speed to do that. He understands completely what I want.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF7w98qiOio&t=46s
Roach said Pacquiao also has shown in sparring that he can still land big shots, which is a good sign for him.
“He had probably his best sparring yesterday (Tuesday),” he said. “We went 10 rounds and he got two knockdowns. It was the old Manny Pacquiao from 10 years ago.
“He’s not as big of a puncher usually at welterweight, but those knockdowns yesterday were a great boost for him.”
That said, Roach and Co. recognize that Spence, a big, strong welterweight, can hurt any opponent.
Thus, a mistake could cost Pacquiao dearly, as it did when he was stopped by one punch from rival Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. Roach has emphasized in training the necessity for Pacquiao to continually move.
“Spence is a good boxer, but he’s a very good puncher,” Roach said. “We know that when we get inside, we have to be smart getting back outside. It has to be quick combinations and then out right away.”
So how does Roach think the fight will play out? In Pacquiao’s favor.
“I think Manny is going to outbox Spence,” he said. “His footspeed is unbelievable and much better than his opponent’s. Spence follows you around and is heavy on his feet. He seems very set to the ground.
“Manny’s speed will overwhelm him. I’m really happy with the game plan so far.”
