Freddie Roach says that he has had to hold back “amazing” Manny Pacquiao during preparations for this month’s welterweight title fight against Errol Spence Jr, although he acknowledges the Filipino must put in a flawless performance if he is to come through potentially the toughest challenge of his celebrated career.
Pacquiao, 42, takes on the undefeated Spence at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 21, marking his return to competitive boxing for the first time in more than two years. At 31, and boasting an advantage in both height and reach, Spence is viewed as the distinct favourite as he defends his WBC and IBF belts.
However, Pacquiao has impressed Roach significantly since beginning his final training camp at Wild Card Boxing Club early last month, so much so that the World Boxing Hall of Fame coach has been forced to rein in the boxer.
“After his first day of training at Wild Card, [Manny] lifted up his shirt, so proud of his six-pack, and told me, ‘I’m still here, Freddie!’,” Roach tells The National from his Hollywood base. “That told me everything. Even at 42, he worked hard on his conditioning before coming to Wild Card to train.
“He is working so hard. I have forced him to take days off from training because he is so far ahead of schedule. There are days I worry about him peaking too soon.
“He has given me everything I have asked of him. No one works harder than Manny. Mentally? He is so focused on this fight. We talk strategy every day. Manny has looked tremendous in training camp and he is improving daily. I’m with him every day. He is amazing.”
Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, has conceded that Spence forms perhaps the most formidable foe of a professional career that will soon stretch to 72 fights. The American, who recovered from a near-fatal car crash in late 2019 to return in December and dominated Danny Garcia on points, has won all 27 pro bouts, with 21 coming via knockout. Pacquiao’s record stands at 62-7-2 (39 KOs).
“I do agree with Manny,” Roach says. “There is the age difference, the height difference, and the reach difference. Spence has the advantage in all three categories. Spence is also undefeated and has the title belts to prove it.
“Ten years ago, I look at this as just another fight, but at 42, that’s a different story. Manny has an extra burden on him and will need to accommodate those factors. Manny will need to fight the perfect fight to pull out the victory. That is what we have focused on in training camp.”
Still, Roach believes the level of the challenge provided by Spence is exactly why Pacquiao took the fight – and because of that, makes it a favourable opponent for his star pupil.
“Anyone who is young, undefeated, and wears a championship belt automatically becomes a good match-up for Manny because Manny is a competitor,” Roach says. “He loves going after elite fighters. It’s what invigorates him.
“At this stage of Manny’s career, he is only looking for untested mountains to conquer. He loves to keep testing himself. In Errol Spence, he has found himself a big test.
“Manny needs to fight the perfect fight. There is no getting around that. Everything he does well he will have to execute to perfection that night. Speed, movement, angles, and stamina. He needs to come into the ring with all of it. It is a tough fight.”
Roach dismissed suggestions Pacquiao could encounter a problem going up against a fellow southpaw in Spence – the first time he has done so competitively in 13 years – saying he has never had an issue either in the ring or during the current camp.
The famed trainer, who has worked with Pacquiao since 2002, rejected Keith Thurman’s claims that his former rival has looked a little slower inside the Wild Card ring than he did when they met in July 2019. Pacquiao prevailed then via a split decision to hand Thurman his first pro defeat.
Concerns, therefore, regarding the lengthy spell in competitive inactivity between that encounter and Spence do not worry Roach.
“Based on what I have seen in training camp, no impact at all,” he says. “Didn’t Keith Thurman also say he would retire Manny before they fought two years ago? By the way, has Thurman fought since losing to Manny?”
Whatever happens on August 21, Pacquiao appears close to calling an end to his guaranteed Hall-of-Fame career. With a prominent role in Philippines’ politics – a sitting senator since 2016, he is tipped to run for president later this year – Pacquiao has remained non-committal whenever quizzed if Spence would represent his final fight in the sport.
Roach, though, does see the finish line in sight, even if the competitive fire within Pacquiao still burns bright.
“Manny loves boxing. Boxing is his passion,” the American says. “He enjoys every challenge it brings to him. At some point, he will have to make some important life choices.
“I think that’s why this fight is so important to him. He wants to win it badly because it could be his last one and he wants to put an exclamation point on the legacy he leaves behind.
“Every baseball player dreams of hitting a home run in his last at-bat. I’m from New England and Ted Williams, who played for the Boston Red Sox, did that. I think Manny wants to make Errol Spence his last at-bat home run. Coincidentally, Ted Williams was also 42 when he hit that last home run.”
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Sean Kirrane (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Arim W’Rsan, Dane O’Neill, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Kalifano De Ghazal, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Oud Al Touba – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Sieh bin Amaar – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Oxord, Richard Mullen, Abdalla Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fifa Club World Cup:
When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid
Everton%20Fixtures
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The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
65
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Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Scorebox
Dubai Sports City Eagles 7 Bahrain 88
Eagles
Try: Penalty
Bahrain
Tries: Gibson 2, Morete 2, Bishop 2, Bell 2, Behan, Fameitau, Sanson, Roberts, Bennett, Radley
Cons: Radley 4, Whittingham 5
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
more from Janine di Giovanni
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
More coverage from the Future Forum
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Race card
1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m
3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Company%20profile
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