Tweet
Don't let his overblown confidence fool you about Pacquiao vs Hatton.
Prior to Pacquiao vs Morales I, Roach said Pacquiao would walk through Morales because his career was coming to an end. Roach arrogantly boasted Pacquiao as a much improved fighter after he drew with Marquez, claiming he would knockout Morales with his new "Manila Ice" right hand. Morales, coming off a loss, was a 2/1 underdog. After Morales won the fight, Roach said he was shocked, and they blamed the gloves. Or was it itchy socks too...? Morales, 6 months later, fights Raheem, loses in one-sided fashion for the first time in his career. Of course, no one noticed this... Instead, Pac beats Raheem's leftovers and Roach is redeemed.
Prior to Marquez vs Pacquiao II, Roach admits Marquez is going to be a tough fight. Pacquiao appears to be losing the fight by round 8, and later admitted to the post-fight press that he felt he needed to win rounds 11 or 12, or he felt he lost. Pacquiao escapes with a razor thin decision. Roach blames Pac's less than thrilling performance on Pacquiao himself, saying, "He was very disciplined in the gym, but not so much in the ring today".
Fast forward to Oscar vs Pacquiao. The weight problems decided who would win before the 1st round. To quote Freddie Roach, "When I saw the IV marks in Oscar's arm, when I saw him looking gaunt at the track, not even being able to run, I knew we won the fight before the 1st round".
It appears Roach's recent hype for Pac's win over Oscar is getting way overblown. Pacquiao did not beat a healthy 160lb Oscar using some magnificent strategy, i.e Hopkins over Trinidad or Mosley over Margarito, he beat a walking zombie who anyone would have beat.
This is the same guy who told Vasquez to retire, who later went on to capture one of his biggest wins. The same guy who feared for Hopkins' life against Pavlik.
Look at the video above if you have any doubt about how accurate Roach's predictions are when the opponent is prime, or shall I say, not an dead opponent. Imagine one of Roach's fighters he trained getting knocked out by a single punch, from a fighter whom he said had "horrible boxing ability".
Can anyone predict the excuse from Roach after Hatton wins? According to Roach, Hatton has "Horrible footwork, slow hands, weak chin, a come forward style tailor made for Pacquiao".
Comment