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Philippines, 29 Mar 2026 |
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Reyes: Why Pacquiao-Fernandez tandem would boost Pacquiao?s boxing career By Leo Reyes PhilBoxing.com Thu, 05 Apr 2018  Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is set to start training for another world title fight against hard-hitting WBA welterweight champion Lucas Mattysse of Argentina after almost a year of inactivity following his loss to Australian challenger Jeff Horn on July 2, 2017 in Brisbane. The fight was officially announced by Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) headed by former Pacquiao foe Oscar de la Hoya, who is the promoter of Matthysse. This was later confirmed by Paquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz, who heads Pacquiao?s MP Promotions. In his Twitter post last April 2, de la Hoya said: ?Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that WBA welterweight world champion @MatthysseLucas will put his title on the line against @mannypacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday night July 14 (US time).? One of the significant changes in the preparation for the scheduled July 15 fight in Malaysia is the emergence of Assistant Trainer Buboy Fernandez as the new head trainer of Pacquiao. Fernandez is reported to have replaced Pacquiao?s longtime trainer Freddie Roach, who has yet to comment on the reported takeover. According to Koncz, it was Pacquiao who told him that Fernandez will be handling the training for the fight. Koncz told ESPN in an interview with Dan Rafael on Tuesday, Manila time: "That's Manny's decision. Manny has told me Buboy will be handling the training on this fight," Koncz said. "What's important to Manny is that he has one voice to listen to in the corner that he trusts, and I guess that's Buboy for this fight."? Apparently, Pacquiao had made the decision without consulting Roach otherwise the seven-time BWAP Trainer of the Year won?t tell media that he?s been contacting Pacquiao several times but he can?t get through. Obviously, Pacquiao is experimenting with his boyhood friend Fernandez running his training camp and if he can be effective without Roach in his corner. For sure, there will be a clear-cut communication between the two because they can talk in their native dialect. It is obvious that Pacquiao could hardly understand Roach?s instructions and in most fights Fernandez had to translate it into Tagalog or Cebuano. It is a common knowledge that Roach is suffering from Parkinson?s and it visibly affects his speech. Communication between the fighter and the coach/trainer is crucial in any boxing fight. If the fighter fails to execute the strategy or instruction from his corner, he is susceptible to more mistakes and bound to fail. Gambling on Fernandez as his head trainer for the Matthysse fight could be a strategic move for Pacquiao. Definitely, he will get a clear-cut instruction from Fernandez because there won?t be a language barrier between them. Fernandez has been Pacquiao?s assistant trainer for most of his career spanning more than 22 years. He knows Pacquiao?s mood on and off the ring more than anyone else. Most of all, he knows Pacquiao?s strengths and weaknesses. He is also a keen observer and knows when the opponent is ripe for the kill. If indeed Fernandez will take over from Roach as head trainer for the Matthysse fight, it could be a landmark decision for Pacquiao because it is one that is difficult to make as he maintains a very close personal relationship with Roach, who is like a father to him. While Roach is tight-lipped on the issue, he knows that Pacquiao is doing it for a reason and he probably would support the tandem in whatever way he can. PhilBoxing.com would like to welcome veteran sports journalist Leo Reyes to its line-up of high powered contributors. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Leo Reyes.  |
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