Boxing: Roach calls Rios a 'dumb fighter'

Manny Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach is unequivocal in his dislike for Brandon Rios.

"I hate him," said Roach bluntly.

"I don't like him or his trainer (Robert Garcia). Once, we were on a press tour with them and they were getting drunk every night.

"A trainer getting drunk with his fighter? That's a disgrace.

"Hanging out with that kid on press tours is like hanging out with a four-year- old."

Animosity

The animosity between Roach and Rios goes back all the way to Nov 2010, when the fighter crudely mocked the tremors that accompany Roach's Parkinson's disease, in a video that was posted online.

Even though Rios apologised afterwards, it is clear the incident still rankles the five-time Trainer of the Year.

When asked if he was affected by Rios' trash-talking and often expletive- riddled pre-match rants, Pacquiao coolly said: "No. What I do is I pray for him."

American brawler Rios will fight Pacquiao on Nov 24 in Macau for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) wel-terweight title, and Roach is backing his fighter to bag an impressive win. "Rios is so stupid, he's dumb," said Roach.

"I don't know who's teaching him, but he always does this (backs into a corner of the ring).

"He can hit you really hard on the chin, but he's not a smart fighter.

"It could well be a long, gruelling fight, but maybe we will win every round."

Roach says he is aware Rios has the skill set to trouble Pacquiao, noting the National Amateur Featherweight Championship the 27-year-old won before he turned professional.

But he says Rios' aggressive nature and lack of ring intelligence will work to his fighter's advantage.

"People know if you come straight at Manny, he will eat you up," said Roach.

"We have to win by knockout and I won't be happy unless we do.

"But I told Manny many times, we're not going out to look for a knockout, the knockout will come."

*Ticket details for the 'Clash in Cotai' fight can be found on www. venetianmacao.com/manny. Tickets for the "live" broadcast of the fight at the Marina Bay Sands are available from $38, and can be purchased online through Marina Bay Sands or Sistic, or by calling 66888826.

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