Boxing:Manny Pacquiao is in the best shape of his life as he prepares to face Ricky Hatton in the fight of the year next weekend, according to trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao and Hatton meet at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and Roach is supremely confident that his man will come out victorious.
"Manny is in the finest shape of his career. It's amazing when you think that this will be his fourth consecutive fight in a different weight class and all against world-class competition. Last year he fought at 130, 135 and 147lbs and next week he moves down to 140. He's incredible," said the world renowned trainer.
"Manny is as sharp as a razor and stronger than ever. We are prepared for the best that Ricky Hatton can muster, which is a formidable task."
Pacquiao is coming off an awesome demolition of Oscar De La Hoya last December. Many pundits claim the 'Golden Boy' was weight-drained and shot, but Roach disagrees.
"Ricky is about to step into quicksand and his only chance of escape will have to come from the referee or his corner," added Roach. "He can say Manny beat a washed-up Oscar De la Hoya all he wants. Just remember, Oscar didn't become washed-up until Manny put him through the ringer."
Roach also points to Pacquiao's record when stating the case for another glory night for the Filipino icon.
"I'll put Manny's roster of opponents up against Ricky's any day. Manny has beaten a host of future Hall of Famers including Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Oscar. Ricky has been dining on his Kostya Tszyu victory for a long time. That was four years ago and Tszyu was at the end of his career. Who else of note has Ricky defeated?"
Roach ended by again repeating his confident prediction that Hatton won't make it past round three when the action finally starts next Saturday night.
"I told Manny I would be disappointed if this fight goes beyond the third round."