Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach is convinced that if Pacquiao fights smart in his showdown against Britain’s Ricky Hatton, he should win easily.

Roach said Pacquiao needs to “get back into the gym and get back to where we were for the Oscar de la Hoya fight” last December 6 where the Filipino pulverized “The Golden Boy” to win via eighth round TKO.

The celebrated trainer cautioned Pacquiao that Hatton, the reigning IBO light welterweight champion, is “a very durable buy”.

Roach, who has turned Pacquiao into the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, also conceded that Hatton punches with power.

“His body punches are his best,” said Roach, “He is a very good body puncher.”

However, the hall-of-fame coach said that “if Manny fights the correct fight, fights a smart fight I think he’ll win and win easily.”

Roach said Pacquiao will prove too much in the end for the game Briton and should eventually take him out in the late rounds.

Hatton’s father, Ray, said his son will start training in Britain for a couple of weeks before leaving for an eight-week training before the fight in Las Vegas.

Hatton himself has said he was driven by a desire to dislodge Pacquiao as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

The Daily Telegraph quoted Hatton as saying: “I’ve challenged once for it. I’m focused, I’ve got my eye on the prize” and said he was sure the fight wouldn’t go the distance.

Hatton also maintained that nobody in the world could beat him at 140 pounds.

But as Roach has said in the past, “there’s always a first time.”