Freddie Roach question!

Trainers worth their salt do not change fighters’ style. They enhance what fighters already have and improve only those they see as basic flaws. Roach doesn’t change his fighters’ fighting style. He adds or limits movements here and there but doesn’t alter the fundamental style. One good example of this is Pacquiao’s awkward technique. He punches from graceless or gawky stance since the start of his career and yet Roach never tried to change it. Freddie simply added the right hand hook, uppercut, and lateral movements to his ward’s arsenal. His charge still punches from clumsy positions and sometimes with one foot off the ground which is a no no to a lot of professional trainers. Then again, in the pac/jmm 3 bout, IMO Roach made a crucial mistake by deliberately limiting the punch output of Pacquiao. He asked Manny to focus on two to three combinations and get the f*ck out of range. Pacquiao managed to floor jmm in previous encounters due to his incessant combinations and Roach took that proven advantage out of the equation. Another roach mistake was in the Khan/Peterson bout. Khan has the speed advantage but it was not utilized to the fullest in said fight. Amir was on his bicycle the whole night negating that natural speed advantage. These mistakes however, are basically game plan oversights not changes in style.

That would be something that is done far before they turn pro thats for sure. I can see the point of adding to an existing style. I keep referring to Vargas...because of change. He use to be an explosive fighter with KO on his mind. Thats fine and all that but they wanted him to slow down,be patient. take his time. When he changed it all went down hill. Changed cornermen changed style and so on. He still had the one punch KO chance. But they wanted him to Box not brawl. and brawling is what got him wins. I guess you can say they added to his style or did they take it away. On the other hand, Ive seen boxers slow down and become better and some be more aggressive and get better. Id say its safe to say it could be a gamble. adding to an existing style should be base on their strengths; not changing it completely. Weakness can be turned into strength, covering it up wont help, regarding with Vargas and them changing his tempo, is a big mistake. Just like with Amir, Freddie mistakem him as a fighter could take PACs style as his own. Amir dont have the lower body strength for that, hes fast but not with his legs but hands. And with Chavez jr, he made a gameplan utilizing his size, if he was against a elite opponent what goin to happen then? It really bothers me that this still young fighters wont reach their potential, and have an identity of their own. A gameplan will work to an extent,and it still should be a learning lesson and a way to evolve into a more complete fighter.

Sometimes change is good. A natural style can at times be bad and not work well. The trainer knows and show know his fighters ability. eg.. when Fernado Vargas changed his stlye he started to become less effective. Thats why it pays to have a skilled corner. Then again.... if aint broke dont fix it, is a good idea. yeah change is good, but changing how they fight altogether is a diff thing. A fighters style is his roots, you cant change it but it can be develop, and improve on. How can they reach their potential if their boxing core is getting a overhaul.

I personally think the best trainers are the ones who manage to get the most out of his fighter's potential. Changing or imposing a style on a fighter doesn't really work IMO. I completely agree, the goal of a trainer is to improve his fighters skills and make his flaw; less transparent. Making a gameplan is great and all, but I would like to see him utilize what his fighter already learned, not hindering his own progress by making him fight in a style that isnt really his.

I personally think the best trainers are the ones who manage to get the most out of his fighter's potential. Changing or imposing a style on a fighter doesn't really work IMO.