Manny Pacquiao will serve Keith Thurman on a platter like ‘Lobster Thurmandor’ says coach Roach
- Hall of Famer warns the unbeaten American he could be the 40th knockout victim of ‘Chef Manny’
- Filipino icon is cutting an impressive physical figure less than one week into his US training camp
The long-time trainer of Manny Pacquiao has warned Keith Thurman he runs the risk of being “cooked” by the Philippines icon if he “comes straight in and goes after Manny”.
The Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach, who is sharing training duties with Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez, said he wouldn’t be surprised if the unbeaten American becomes the eight-time division world champion’s 40th knockout victim when they clash for the WBA super welterweight title in Las Vegas on July 20.
“If Thurman comes straight in and goes after Manny, which I think he will, he is going to be cooked. Chef Manny will be serving him up on a platter like Lobster Thurmandor,” said Roach, who enjoys using superlatives to describe match-ups.
Both Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) and Thurman (29-0-0, 22 KOs) are coming off victories in January but the American trainer was confident his protégé will come up trumps again at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, even though he faces a formidable opponent who is 10 years his junior.
Pacquiao is preparing for his third world championship fight inside 12 months but has cut an impressive figure less than a week into his US training camp in Los Angeles.
Five months after dominating American Adrien Broner over 12 rounds in January, Pacquiao has been getting into super shape and has been displaying a chiselled physique.
And Roach said Pacquiao was ready to serve up a surprise again and prove many pundits wrong that he still has a lot left in the tank despite his advancing years.
“His work ethic is the best in the world and he’s a great role model to the young fighters,” Roach told Fight Hub TV.
Roach was also asked how Pacquiao, who will be 41 in December, is still capable of competing with the top fighters in the division.
“We don’t want to be those guys who go from city to city and fight and just get paid,” he said. “We want to be world champions. We want to be the best.
“There’s no sense in boxing unless you can be the best in my opinion and I’m sure in Manny’s opinion also. That’s why we are going to fight guys like this.
“We’re not in this business just to box and make money. We want to be world champions and be the best we can be and until that happens we’ll keep fighting.
“But once we see signs of [him] slowing down and he’s getting [more] maybe punishment-wise or something like that, we will have a discussion and we will retire before it’s too late.”
Roach was well pleased with Pacquiao’s performance in his last fight against Broner. The fighting senator won every round on his way to a unanimous decision and Roach expects “Pacman” to be even better this time around.
“It was a great performance [by Pacquiao]. It was the most offensive I’ve seen from Manny in a long time,” Roach said. “Manny won every round and beat a good, big guy. Broner was a good fighter at one time, he didn’t belong in the same ring with Manny Pacquiao.”
