ROACH BETS $5K FOR PACQUIAO

MANILA, Philippines — Freddie Roach is betting $5,000 on a Manny Pacquiao knockout victory inside six rounds.

After catching the fury of Pacquiao’s fists for 14 straight rounds with the mitts at the Wild Card Boxing Club on Monday afternoon (Tuesday in Manila), Roach told publicist Fred Sternburg that the Filipino pound-for-pound “is absolutely on fire.”

It was right after the workout that Roach said he became even more convinced that the Nov. 12 rubber match between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will not go 12 rounds.

Roach said he will be shelling out $5,000 for a Pacquiao kayo win under six rounds and finally settle the score with the brash, counter-punching Mexican.

Marquez has succeeded in getting under Roach and even Pacquiao’s skin that the fighter has showed a renewed vigor in his daily workouts, noted Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz.

“I could see it in his eyes that he wants to make a huge statement by winning convincingly,” said Koncz.

The results of their first two fights remain controversial up to this day.

Pacquiao, who turns 33 on Dec. 17, is an overwhelming 8-1 favorite to stave off Marquez, who will be fighting only for the second time at 140-plus pounds.

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Posted in: Boxing