Ni Dennis Principe

HINDI natuwa si trainer Freddie Roach sa naging pahayag ng kampo ni Jeff Horn ukol sa kakayahan umano nito na maging mas magaling pa kay Juan Manuel Marquez.

Si Marquez, ang bitter Mexican rival ni Pacquiao, ang huling boxer na nagpatikim ng knockout loss sa Filipino boxing sensation.

Sa interview noon ng Balita Sports kay Australian trainer Glenn Rushton, sinabi nito na mas magaling at mas malakas na maituturing si Horn kumpara kay Marquez, bagay na ikina-inis ni Roach.

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“That is a very, very bold statement and I say that person knows nothing about boxing. Nothing at all. That is definitely not true. I’ve seen tapes of this guy, give me a break,” ani Roach. “I can’t believe he said that he’s at that level. He’s only had 16 fights. He’s a schoolteacher he better stay at school a little bit more.”

Tulog kay Marquez si Pacquiao sa 6th round ng kanilang 12-round welterweight battle noong December 2012 sa Las Vegas.

Nakabangon naman ang 38-anyos na si Pacquiao sa nasabing knockout loss nang ipanalo nito ang lima sa sumunod na anim na laban hanggang sa makuha ang WBO title kay Jessie Vargas ng Mexico upang tanghalin bilang pinaka-matandang Filipino boxer na nakahawak ng world title.

Hindi naman nababahala si Rushton kahit na itinuturing pa bilang isa sa top pound-for-pound boxers si Pacquiao.

“It’s going to be similar to the Marquez battles. It’s going to be intense. Of course Jeff will get hit but he will bounce back and Manny will realize he is like Marquez, just coming at you,” ani Rushton “But I’m not saying Jeff is easy to hit. He’s not easy to hit. He’s got an exceptional defense but he’ll get hit. Manny is a very skillful boxer.”

Pagbibidahan nina Pacquiao at Horn ang ‘Battle of Brisbane’ na magaganap ngayong umaga sa Suncorp Stadium sa Brisbane, Australia.