Manny Pacquiao’s religion took away his ‘killer instinct’ – but his aggression is back for Keith Thurman fight
- ‘For a while he would tell me he just needs to beat his opponents and not knock them out,’ says trainer Freddie Roach
- But Thurman has taken jibes at Pacquiao’s faith – ‘when Manny’s aggressive, he’s a much better fighter’
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Manny Pacquiao’s devout religious beliefs have eradicated his old “killer instinct”, according to Freddie Roach. But the Hall of Fame trainer thinks Keith Thurman’s trash talk – including jibes at Pacquiao’s faith – has helped bring back the Filipino boxing icon’s aggressive streak.
The unbeaten American, 30, repeatedly said at last month’s press conference in New York that he is going to retire 40-year-old Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) when they meet on July 20 in Las Vegas.
“Manny’s work ethic is great,” Roach said in Los Angeles, where he is preparing Pacquiao for the fight. “He works hard and is incredibly dedicated. But he doesn’t have the killer instinct that he used to have. I think religion took that away from us.
“For a while he would tell me that he just needs to beat his opponents and not knock them out. But he doesn’t say that any more. He’s getting more aggressive.
“He was more aggressive in his last fight than I’ve seen him in years. I hope that continues into this fight. Because when Manny’s aggressive he’s a much better fighter.”
Manny Pacquiao will make me a huge score when he beats Keith Thurman, says trainer Freddie Roach
Roach reunited with Pacquiao for the January decision win against Adrien Broner, after a mysterious split in 2018 following 16 years working together.
No explanation has been given for their initial parting of ways, but Roach admitted their differing views on religion still cause some tension.
“That’s an issue we don’t see eye-to-eye on, so we try not to talk about it,” Roach said. “Part of that I don’t like is that it has nothing to do with boxing, in my opinion.
“In the ring, you’re on your own. The guy who prays the most is not going to win the fight.
“Manny’s motivated for all his fights and this time, this guy’s talking a little trash,” Roach added, though. “So that helps. Manny has got a bit upset. He wants to win this one a little bit more than usual.”
Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles last weekend to enter the final phase of his training camp, and Roach is wearing protective padding around his torso during mitt sessions for the first time in several fights.
“I was really happy I brought my padding back,” Roach said. “Because I haven’t worn that in a while. I came up with that idea because I didn’t want Manny to go easy on his opponents.
“We went 10 rounds yesterday and he was really happy to see I had the padding. It does make a difference. I want him going full blast on the mitts.”
