Freddie Roach has revealed that Manny Pacquiao has vowed to make quick work of Brandon Rios this Saturday as retaliation for Roach’s recent confrontation with Rios team member Alex Ariza.
Video of the incident went viral yesterday showing Ariza, Pacquiao’s former strength and conditiong coach, exchanging insults with Roach before kicking him in the stomach. Both continued goading each other after being separated, with Ariza mocking speech patterns, which are due to symptoms from Parkinson’s disease. According to Roach, Pacquiao viewed tape of the incident today and made his intentions clear.
“(Pacquiao) said to me, ‘Are those the guys that made fun of you?’ and I said yes, and he said, ‘That’s all I need to know,’ and he walked away,” Roach said to the Associated Press. “He told me he’s going to take care of this guy quickly.”
Earlier this month, Roach predicted a sixth round knockout win for Pacquiao, citing Rios’ lack of defense. Now with Pacquiao’s promise of a quick ending, he expects his Filipino star to end matters before the fourth round.
“Initially I didn’t think the fight would go six rounds, and after the way he’s worked out, I don’t think it will go four.”
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 