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Everyone in boxing knew that once the deal between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr was inked, that “The Golden Boy” would look elsewhere for a new trainer. Famed fight trainer Freddie Roach, already loaded with a stable full of champions, contenders, and prospects, had his hands full, but when an opportunity of a lifetime comes around, it's tough to pass on it, “ It was a hard decision at first, because I have to give up a lot to train Oscar. It's such a big fight, and such a big challenge, I look forward to getting him ready to win that fight, training camp starts for Oscar on March 1st, in Puerto Rico.”
The big question that everyone is asking is, What about Manny Pacquiao? “ I told Manny that I would train him here for the month of February, and then when I have to go to Puerto Rico, I have everything set up for him with Justin Fortune, and my other assistants. If Manny wants to come to Puerto Rico with me, he is more than welcome to do that. Justin is very capable of maintaining camp, and keeping Manny focused”.
Recently, Top Ranks' Bob Arum went on the record calling Roach an “idiot”, this struck a chord with Roach, “ Bob Arum needs to spend less time trying to get me fired, and more time trying to help Manny, and getting Manny to the Wild Card, and away from the distractions. Bob needs to be working with me, not against me, Manny is my boy, and I am going to take care of him.”
There is an entire nation of The Philippines holding their breath with this whole situation, they want to know how all of this will impact the relationship between Manny Pacquiao, and Freddie Roach, “I talked to Manny last night, he told me 'no problem coach, congratulations,' so there will be no problems, and I look forward to getting him ready for his fight against In Jin Chi, if that fight does happen. Manny needs to get here to the Wild Card as soon as possible so we can start getting him ready.”
Freddie also had this message to Filipino fans: “I want to tell Manny's fans in The Philippines, and all across the world that Manny is my boy. I love this kid like he's my own son. This deal with Oscar is a big opportunity for me, and I spoke with Manny about it . Manny told me it was no problem, and congratulated me. We are working out his schedule right now, and I am going to make sure that I get both men ready for their fights. In Jin Chi is a tough fighter, and we know that we can't take him lightly, and we won't take him lightly. Manny is the best pound for pound fighter in the world today, and he's my boy, and that says it all.”
Roach's decision impacts more than just Manny Pacquiao. Peter Manfredo Jr has a world title fight approaching as well. Manfredo goes across the pond to take on current world champion, Joe Calzaghe. ********* asked Roach to comment on this, “I talked to Peter, he's a little disappointed but I told him that we will train real hard, and get the game-plan down, and work real hard while I am here. Peter is already here, and he'll be here for the next few months, Peter understands completely, and he's happy for me. Justin Fortune will pick up the slack for me, he and Peter have a good relationship as well.”
So with his stable being informed of the news, he now sets his sights on Oscar De La Hoya.
This is undoubtedly one of the biggest fights in the past 15 years, and Roach says he's ready for the challenge, “ This may be the biggest non Heavyweight fight of all time, the tickets didn't last long, and this is big for my career. I didn't take this just for money, I took this for the challenge, and I feel that I am the best man for the job. I have a couple of strategies in mind, depending on what Mayweather does, I have a great game-plan in mind, and I plan on bringing out the best in Oscar De La Hoya. I do this with all of my fighters, and I feel that I can do this with Oscar.”
Taking on this job brings new challenges, and raises new questions. How will the relationship between Roach, and De La Hoya work out? What does each man expect out of one another?
“We talked about strategy, what I expect out of him, what he expects out of me, and there's no problem. We both believe in hard work, and we are on the same page most of the time. I told him that when we are in training camp, and I need something, I want it done. There are no ego's involved here, we both look forward to getting to work. We will be training at Wilfredo Gomez's gym, and I am looking forward to this challenge, this is a must win situation, it's one of the biggest fights of my life, and I am going to do my best to get Oscar ready to win this fight.”
The big question that everyone is asking is, What about Manny Pacquiao? “ I told Manny that I would train him here for the month of February, and then when I have to go to Puerto Rico, I have everything set up for him with Justin Fortune, and my other assistants. If Manny wants to come to Puerto Rico with me, he is more than welcome to do that. Justin is very capable of maintaining camp, and keeping Manny focused”.
Recently, Top Ranks' Bob Arum went on the record calling Roach an “idiot”, this struck a chord with Roach, “ Bob Arum needs to spend less time trying to get me fired, and more time trying to help Manny, and getting Manny to the Wild Card, and away from the distractions. Bob needs to be working with me, not against me, Manny is my boy, and I am going to take care of him.”
There is an entire nation of The Philippines holding their breath with this whole situation, they want to know how all of this will impact the relationship between Manny Pacquiao, and Freddie Roach, “I talked to Manny last night, he told me 'no problem coach, congratulations,' so there will be no problems, and I look forward to getting him ready for his fight against In Jin Chi, if that fight does happen. Manny needs to get here to the Wild Card as soon as possible so we can start getting him ready.”
Freddie also had this message to Filipino fans: “I want to tell Manny's fans in The Philippines, and all across the world that Manny is my boy. I love this kid like he's my own son. This deal with Oscar is a big opportunity for me, and I spoke with Manny about it . Manny told me it was no problem, and congratulated me. We are working out his schedule right now, and I am going to make sure that I get both men ready for their fights. In Jin Chi is a tough fighter, and we know that we can't take him lightly, and we won't take him lightly. Manny is the best pound for pound fighter in the world today, and he's my boy, and that says it all.”
Roach's decision impacts more than just Manny Pacquiao. Peter Manfredo Jr has a world title fight approaching as well. Manfredo goes across the pond to take on current world champion, Joe Calzaghe. ********* asked Roach to comment on this, “I talked to Peter, he's a little disappointed but I told him that we will train real hard, and get the game-plan down, and work real hard while I am here. Peter is already here, and he'll be here for the next few months, Peter understands completely, and he's happy for me. Justin Fortune will pick up the slack for me, he and Peter have a good relationship as well.”
So with his stable being informed of the news, he now sets his sights on Oscar De La Hoya.
This is undoubtedly one of the biggest fights in the past 15 years, and Roach says he's ready for the challenge, “ This may be the biggest non Heavyweight fight of all time, the tickets didn't last long, and this is big for my career. I didn't take this just for money, I took this for the challenge, and I feel that I am the best man for the job. I have a couple of strategies in mind, depending on what Mayweather does, I have a great game-plan in mind, and I plan on bringing out the best in Oscar De La Hoya. I do this with all of my fighters, and I feel that I can do this with Oscar.”
Taking on this job brings new challenges, and raises new questions. How will the relationship between Roach, and De La Hoya work out? What does each man expect out of one another?
“We talked about strategy, what I expect out of him, what he expects out of me, and there's no problem. We both believe in hard work, and we are on the same page most of the time. I told him that when we are in training camp, and I need something, I want it done. There are no ego's involved here, we both look forward to getting to work. We will be training at Wilfredo Gomez's gym, and I am looking forward to this challenge, this is a must win situation, it's one of the biggest fights of my life, and I am going to do my best to get Oscar ready to win this fight.”
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