Ni: Gilbert Espeña

NGAYONG kinumpirma na ni Top Rank big boss Bob Arum ang rematch nina eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao at ang naka-upset rito na si WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn sa Nobyembre, titiyakin ni Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach na siya ang pipili ng malalaking sparring partner para sa Pinoy boxer.

Sa panayam ng BoxingScene.com, aminado si Roach na ipinaubaya niya sa tagapayo ni Pacquiao na si Michael Koncz ang pagpili ng sparring partner para kay Pacquiao kaya hindi ito naging handa sa sobrang gulang na estilo ni Horn.

“I think the biggest mistake the last camp was that we didn’t get sparring partners that were big enough or strong enough for a guy like Horn,” diin ni Roach. “They get 130-pounders and that’s doesn’t work when you’re getting ready for a guy who weighs like 170(pounds) when he gets into the ring. Horn’s a big, strong kid and we’ve got to get ready for that.”

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Ayon kay Roach, hindi na niya hahayaan na makialam si Koncz sa pagsasanay ni Pacquiao lalo’t sirang-sira ang Canadian nang piratahin ang world rated noon na si Filipino flyweight Diosdado Gabi na nasira ang karera sa kapabayaan nito nang magkampanya sa Amerika.

“For some reason Mike Koncz wanted to be in charge of sparring partners because he didn’t feel as though the bigger guys would give Manny enough work and the bigger guys would be more taxing on his body and so forth,” dagdag ni Roach. “But if he wants to be a world championship fighter that’s what he has to compete with. So we need bigger, stronger guys this time. I’ll pick the sparring partners this time for camp.”