Interview with Freddie Roach: What's up with Manny Pacquiao? ...

By David Tyler, Doghouse Boxing (Sept 1, 2009) http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Media2/FreddieRoach05_Star.jpg PART I Once again doghouseboxing.com visits the WildCard Gym in Hollywood, California. The assignment? What’s up with Manny Pacquiao? Let’s hear what boxing’s greatest trainer has to say about his star pupil. Why is Freddie Roach not in the International Boxing Hall of Fame? David Tyler- Freddie, the Ninja is the biggest star in the sport today, maybe even bigger than Oscar or Tyson on a Global Level? Freddie Roach – At this stage of his career I would tend to agree with that statement. He was always popular in the Philippines and certainly the wins over De La Hoya and Hatton have propelled him into another level, and that level is the Pound for Pound Champion. That title alone has the prestige that the title “Heavyweight Champion of the World” used to carry. DT – Fred, where is Manny training now? FR – He’s not in training. He is making his eighth action movie in the Philippines. He is enjoying life. DT – What? FR – Well right now I’m having a lot of trouble getting in touch with him. His advisor, Michael Konz, is making all the decisions and he doesn’t want to consult me, he was quoted in the papers as saying that Freddie Roach is only the trainer we don’t need him. So I got a little ticked off about that comment. DT – Fred, is he one of the two non-Filipinos that was telling everyone that the Hatton/ Pacquiao 24/7 was devoting too much time about you and not the Ninja? FR – I heard that he making those kinds of statements during the Hatton training camp. DT – Freddie, is Michael Konz a lawyer? FR – No, he is not a lawyer, he is a secretary. DT – What does he know about boxing? FR – Nothing. DT – Fred, when someone reaches the very top level in the world of entertainment, there will be many vampires out there looking to suck the money out of them? FR- Of course, I have seen many fighters, like Mike Tyson lose everything because they place their trust in others who do nothing but kiss their butts all day long. DT – I would think the Ninja would stick with you and have Filipino advisors? FR – You would think, wouldn’t you? Michael Konz came to my gym trying to get me to train Ike Ibeabuchi when he gets out of prison and Manny was training that day. I introduced him to Manny so somehow he hooked up with Manny as an advisor. He even told Bob Arum that we don’t need to run things past Freddie Roach, he is merely a trainer. Obviously, I was not pleased when Bob told me that news. Michael Konz is not showing me any respect with talk like that and I believe he is working off his own agenda and not the agenda of Team Pacquiao? DT – When the Ninja starts training will it still be in the Philippines or another location? FR – I’m not pleased with him training in the Philippines, there are too many distractions, but that’s what he wants to my understanding, and I believe he is taking this fight too lightly. Mark my words this will be the toughest fight of his life. It’s the people around him like Michael Konz who are telling him this will be an easy fight and not to worry. Instead of names I will say his advisors are telling him that Miguel Cotto is done, he is finished, and that’s pure bullcrap. I have been watching countless hours again and again of Cotto’s past fights. He nullified Shane Mosley’s speed and that’s Manny’s greatest asset also, he has proven he knows how to deal with speed and everyone around Manny is taking the fight way too lightly. So yes, I’m a little pissed off at his advisors. DT – Fred, I want to be clear about one issue, Manny is making a movie and not training? FR – At this point yes. I called Michael Konz and asked him if Manny has started conditioning his body for training camp and he said he didn’t know. I then asked Konz if Manny has told him where he will train in the Philippines and he said I haven’t asked him yet and I blew my top because Cotto has been in serious training for a month now. We haven’t even started yet and we have no idea where we are going? It’s absurd. DT – Freddie, do you feel that these problems could have been avoided if he was at home here at WildCard? FR – Certainly, this is his home away from home. This is where we get ready for every fight but the immigration laws will not allow us to train here until three weeks before the fight. So if I have to go to the Philippines, I will do my job and get him ready for the fight but I prefer Mexico because it is close and I have had offers from several resorts in Mexico that would be much closer to home and away from the many distractions in the Philippines. In any case we will be ready for the fight and we do have those three weeks to prepare for the fight in this gym. DT – Do you feel that you will be able to wrestle control of Manny from Team Konz when you get the Ninja in training camp? FR – Of course, 100% yes! Manny is smart and he will listen to me. This has happened before and we work things out. I just feel that I should have access to my fighter and I’m not getting that when we are thousands of miles apart. DT – When will you see the Ninja again? FR – September the 8th because we start the press tours the 9th. We will be in Los Angeles on the 14th.

Comments (20)

I see to many people putting the blame on Konz, but at the end of the day no one is more responsible for the training of Manny Pacquiao than Manny Pacquiao. Konz is just an employee. He's going to train when he feels like it.

16y ago

Luis12

i feel bad because pac and roach used to have a great relation but now with the worms around pac looks that will change. or maybe that's another chapter of this drama

16y ago

Pullcounter7451

cotto don't need to train for power, he just need to train for speed.

16y ago

DC_Fight_Fan

Heck, you never know, porter might help pacquiao. I heard Cotto might use Calderon. We'll see. Calderon would be a good one for Cotto. Oddly, I think Gary Russell Jr. would give Cotto great sparring for this fight as well. What is the latino featherweight southpaw from NYC that is a little wild but packs a big punch. His name escapes me but he would be good as well.

16y ago

rob6465

When you spar you are asked to imitate the guy who your partner is training for. Porter will do that. He will fight flat footed and he will steady his work load. How do you think sparring works? And when would you ever get a sparring partner with world class experience + world class ability like Cotto? That is not how it works. You get the inexperienced fighter with unlimited upside. Heck, you never know, porter might help pacquiao. I heard Cotto might use Calderon. We'll see.

16y ago

DC_Fight_Fan

Porter's demeanor is nothing like Cotto...he is bouncy in the in ring because he fights on his toes...Cotto is more flat footed and calmer in the ring. Cotto picks his shots and is precise and intent on everyone hitting the mark while Porter seems to be just throwing his punches trying to connect. There is also ring experience, which Porter has none at this point of his career. Cotto is very polished and Porter is still very green...the list goes on and on and if you can't see the differences then you would be just like Michael Konz...detrimental to Manny's training. When you spar you are asked to imitate the guy who your partner is training for. Porter will do that. He will fight flat footed and he will steady his work load. How do you think sparring works? And when would you ever get a sparring partner with world class experience + world class ability like Cotto? That is not how it works. You get the inexperienced fighter with unlimited upside.

16y ago

Primal_Instinx

Please elaborate. How so? His style? What is it? Porter like Cotto relies heavily on a left hook, they are about the same stature therefore punches will come from the same angles, Porter is probably a little faster at this stage....what is it? please educate me. Porter's demeanor is nothing like Cotto...he is bouncy in the in ring because he fights on his toes...Cotto is more flat footed and calmer in the ring. Cotto picks his shots and is precise and intent on everyone hitting the mark while Porter seems to be just throwing his punches trying to connect. There is also ring experience, which Porter has none at this point of his career. Cotto is very polished and Porter is still very green...the list goes on and on and if you can't see the differences then you would be just like Michael Konz...detrimental to Manny's training.

16y ago

Pullcounter7451

good read. I fukkin hate konc. he's gonna ruin pac.

16y ago

rob6465

for once freddie is speaking the truth his last few interviews have seemed so full of shit.. this one is a good one WHAT??????????????? Someone faster than pacquiao??? lol Pacfans will kill you !

16y ago

rob6465

With all due respect, Porter does have a damn good left hook, is very elusive and may be even quicker than Cotto right now. You should really check out some of his fights. There is a good one at gofightlive from this past Saturday where he obliterated a 6-2 kid that had never been down before in 1 1/2 minutes. Maybe i should because i don't see anything in that video that would help pacquiao prepare for cotto, except maybe the "bigger" fighter. Sorry, that's just my opinion. I'll try to see porter's other fights and maybe that will change my mind.

16y ago

rommel357

If this Fvk Koncz keeps getting in the way and Manny doesn't train well for this fight, not only Manny will lose this fight, but Cotto will embarras his ass and wipe the floor with him. I have feeling Manny will lose this fight now, i have no confidence on what's going on and this fvking guy Koncz is getting on my nerves.

16y ago

DC_Fight_Fan

Porter will need to pull an Andre Berto and drop to welterweight if he wants to make it in boxing. He looks pretty good, but doesn't seem to fight like Cotto at all and doesn't have that thudding jab. I agree on Porter as a welterweight. It would eliminate his height and reach disadvantages at 154/160

16y ago

DC_Fight_Fan

Pacquiao needs a sparring partner that possesses the left hook with a decent jab and with some speed. That is one thing that manny/Roach might underestimate with Cotto, is his speed. Don't get me wrong, porter is a good fighter who will be a very good middleweight. I just think that manny needs a sparring partner that shows elusiveness and better speed than porter. I guess i said it the wrong way and maybe it was taken that porter is not good. Trust me he is good. With all due respect, Porter does have a damn good left hook, is very elusive and may be even quicker than Cotto right now. You should really check out some of his fights. There is a good one at gofightlive from this past Saturday where he obliterated a 6-2 kid that had never been down before in 1 1/2 minutes.

16y ago

AceNguyen

16y ago

rob6465

Please elaborate. How so? His style? What is it? Porter like Cotto relies heavily on a left hook, they are about the same stature therefore punches will come from the same angles, Porter is probably a little faster at this stage....what is it? please educate me. Pacquiao needs a sparring partner that possesses the left hook with a decent jab and with some speed. That is one thing that manny/Roach might underestimate with Cotto, is his speed. Don't get me wrong, porter is a good fighter who will be a very good middleweight. I just think that manny needs a sparring partner that shows elusiveness and better speed than porter. I guess i said it the wrong way and maybe it was taken that porter is not good. Trust me he is good.

16y ago

illmatickid

for once freddie is speaking the truth his last few interviews have seemed so full of shit.. this one is a good one

16y ago

DC_Fight_Fan

I'm sorry, but Pacquiao better use another sparring partner because Porter is not going to do it. If he prepares for cotto fight with porter, manny will be in trouble. There are sooooo many good sparring guys out there and porter just seems totally wrong for cotto fight. Please elaborate. How so? His style? What is it? Porter like Cotto relies heavily on a left hook, they are about the same stature therefore punches will come from the same angles, Porter is probably a little faster at this stage....what is it? please educate me.

16y ago

Stoppage

Cotto is taking this very seriously and I knew for a while now that Pacquiao needs to get to training soon.

16y ago

razorthin

cotto too big for manny

16y ago

rob6465

The Porter kid is a 154/160 type kid that looks to be built exactly like Cotto. He has power like Cotto as well so he should give Manny good looks. Also, it never said he was only going to have 3 weeks with Manny, it said they would have 3 weeks together at the Wildcard Gym. But Freddie will be with Manny in Mexico or the PI well before that. It sounds like he will pretty much be with Manny from next one on through the fight. Here is a video I found of Shawn Porter... I'm sorry, but Pacquiao better use another sparring partner because Porter is not going to do it. If he prepares for cotto fight with porter, manny will be in trouble. There are sooooo many good sparring guys out there and porter just seems totally wrong for cotto fight.

16y ago