Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach said he's expecting Manny Pacquiao to be a much better fighter when the eight time division world champion faces Brandon Rios at Venetian Macao in November.
Roach, who's currently training Zou Shiming of China in his next fight, said he expects Pacquiao to be a hungrier fighter following his humiliating sixth round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.
The five-time Trainer of the Year is confident the 34-year old Pacquiao still has the skills and the power to overwhelm Rios, predicting no less than a knockout victory for the former pound-for-pound king.
When asked if Pacquiao is already training for the fight; Roach said he doesn't think so as he believes the boxer usually doesn't begin training without him. The trainer added that Pacquiao is playing a lot of basketball as part of his conditioning regimen.
However, Roach assured that Pacquiao will do well once the training starts. Like their previous training camps, Pacquiao had a decent job setting aside politics and other extra-curricular activities when they start their preparation for their next bout.
Roach, who's targeting to start training with Pacman on October 6, said he would not make major changes in Pacquiao's gameplan but he wants the Filipino boxer to throw more combinations especially against the hard-hitting Rios.
For the first time in seven years, Pacquiao will be fighting outside the United States and Macau, touted as the Las Vegas of the East, was picked to host the welterweight clash on November 23.