Roach: Pacquiao-Hoya will be over in 9 rounds

DOMINIC MENOR, GMANews.TV


MANILA, Philippines - The Dream Match won't go the distance, if Freddie Roach is asked.

In an interview with GMANews.TV on Friday, Manny Pacquiao's trainer was asked to predict what round the Pacquiao-Oscar de la Hoya bout would end. He had a terse reply.

"Ninth round."

Pacquiao finished a five-round sparring session with light-middleweight Rashad Holloway and Roach was pleased with what he saw Thursday afternoon at his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

"It was a great day," Roach said. "Manny handled the jabs very well. It was a great workout overall."

Team Pacquiao has expressed confidence that its main star would be able to overcome de la Hoya. Roach said he was going to leave no stone unturned.

"We're covering our bases, that's right. Whatever [Oscar's] got, we're prepared for it. Whatever he's bringing, we'll be ready for it."

Meanwhile, Pacquiao was impressed with the reality series "24/7" being produced by cable-network giant HBO.

Pacquiao wrote in his online column that he didn't mind the side gigs.

"I wanted the training to be exclusive and private but we just couldn't ignore the TV production side of the fight," Pacquiao said.

"I'm just enjoying every minute of my preparation, both the training aspect and the TV aspect. I know our match is a big event and big events entail big promotions," he added. - GMANews.TV