Freddie Roach: ‘Does Manny Pacquiao Have The Killer Instinct He Once Had, Honestly, I Don’t Think So’

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach admitted that Manny Pacquiao’s killer instincts are gone. Roach said that nothing is going to change it, and the boxing fans who are longing to see the old Pacquiao back will have to just accept that the Filipino boxing icon will no longer be as explosive like he was before.

“Does he (Pacquiao) have the killer instincts he once had, I have to answer, honestly, I don’t think so,” Roach told Fight Hype. “But he feels that it’s enough to beat a person, you don’t have to kill him or knock him out, so that’s kind of where we’re at right now and I think that’s what we have to live with right now.”

According to Roach, the impact of “lost killer instinct” has negative and positive effects on Pacquiao’s life, particularly outside the boxing ring. Roach said that there was once a point in Pacquiao’s life when the Filipino would “gamble, drink and chase girls too much,” but Pacquiao has turned back on such vices after renewing his Christian faith.

Roach added that Pacquiao’s change of heart has not only made his wife happy but also his family. The 54-year-old trainer also revealed that Pacquiao takes time to read the Bible every day and is very dedicated to his religion, which makes the Filipino “nicer” to his opponents.

Recently, Pacquiao’s old foe Brandon Rios has also shared his thoughts on Pacquiao since he last fought him. Rios said that Pacquiao has indeed lost the killer instinct that other fighters once feared about him.

Speaking to Jenna J of On The Ropes Boxing, Rios said that he thought that Pacquiao would knock him out when they fought in November 2013, but the Filipino didn’t. Rios said that the same thing happened when Pacquiao fought Timothy Bradley and Chris Algieri. Rios believes that the old Pacquiao would have went for the kill and knocked out his opponents.

“I don’t know if it’s because he found God and he doesn’t feel like he wants to hurt people, which I’m not saying is a bad thing, everybody has their belief and I do respect the lord,” Rios said. “But in that ring, you’re trying to hurt your opponent because I know the opponent is going try to hurt me, that’s how I see it.”

Pacquiao has fought 64 times (57 wins, five losses, 2 draws) and won 36 via knockout. He has knocked out some of the most prominent names in the boxing world including Erik Morales (2006), Ricky Hatton (2009) and Miguel Cotto (2009). Pacquiao’s knockout streak came to a halt during his fight against Joshua Clottey in 2010. In his last three fights (Rios, Bradley, and Algieri), Pacquiao has showcased 12 rounds of boxing entertainment.

Do you think those days of Pacquiao’s aggression in the boxing ring are long gone? Share us your thoughts.

To report problems about this article or leave feedback, email r.corpuz@IBTimes.com.au.