While Roach has been working on Pacquiao’s right hand to complement his powerful left hand for a number of years, he could not believe what he is seeing as Pacquiao started using his right hand in recent sparring sessions at his Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
“I don’t know what his surgeon did with Manny’s right shoulder but he is firing his right with authority and strength. I never thought I would say this but I think it’s stronger than his left.” Roach said.
Pacquiao’s sparring mates — Montreal-based Congolese fighter Ghislain Maduma and American Lydell Rhodes — have been impressed by Pacquiao’s new-found power and speed.
“Manny was in a fighting mood this afternoon and what I learned from him is when he’s in fighting mood, he’s unbeatable,” Maduma said after a session with Pacquiao early this week.
For his part, Rhodes, who has been sparring with Pacquiao for about two years said Pacquiao is stronger now than ever before.
“He was the one pushing me instead of I pushing him. He’s very strong,” Lydell Rhodes, another spar mate said. “I have been sparring with Manny since two years ago and I never saw him stronger than now.”
Pacquiao is set to work with new sparring partners next week including Mexican-American Frankie Gomez, who is unbeaten in 18 pro fights and Jose Ramirez, another undefeated Mexican-American boxer who has scored 14 wins since turning pro in 2012.
