Philippines, 04 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Roach declines comment on Justin tirade


PhilBoxing.com





There’s a brewing split between Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune in the wake of Manny Pacquiao’s recent loss to WBA welterweight super champion Yordenis Ugas with Buboy Fernandez caught in the middle but the rift within the Filipino icon’s team may not be a serious cause for concern particularly as he’s in the twilight of his storybook boxing career.

Fortune, who has served as Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach since the first Marco Antonio Barrera fight in 2003, said the other day he’ll never work with Roach again. In 2007, they parted ways because of money issues and were close to going to court but got back together in 2014. After Pacquiao’s defeat to Jeff Horn in 2017, Roach was sidelined and Fernandez took over as head coach with Fortune still in the team. In 2018, Pacquiao scored a knockout over Lucas Matthysse with Fernandez and Fortune in his corner. Then, Roach returned for Pacquiao’s fights against Adrien Broner, Keith Thurman and Ugas.

This time, Fortune said there’s no coming back and money isn’t the issue. Apparently, Fortune said he was blamed by Roach for Pacquiao’s loss because of cramps. Fortune said Roach’s accusations weren’t factual and he should have at least confronted him face to face. That was the last straw, Fortune said.

“When (Errol) Spence was replaced by Ugas, Freddie kept (Giovanni) Cabrera and (Ivan) Redkach who’re both southpaws as sparmates and got them to box orthodox,” said Fortune. “He brought in right-handers Arnold Gonzales and Abie Lopez for the last few sessions but it didn’t help. There are thousands of guys out there who fight like Ugas. One guy is Petr Khamukov, an undefeated Russian with long arms like Ugas. He could’ve been brought in.”

Fortune said Fernandez is ready to take over as Pacquiao’s head coach from Roach. “Buboy knows his stuff and he knows Manny, they’re best friends forever,” he said. “Manny understands Buboy. There’s nothing Buboy wouldn’t do for his best friend. If he has to be in the middle during timeouts, then he should be in, not Freddie.”

Roach’s publicist Fred Sternberg said commenting on Fortune’s rants would be unproductive. “Freddie told me he will respect Manny’s wishes and not respond to these types of interviews Justin is giving,” said Sternberg. “Freddie agrees with Manny that it’s unproductive.” There will be no comment from Roach regarding Fortune’s statement that he’ll never work with the trainer nor set foot at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles ever again. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said the tirade is "just ridiculous" and "the Senator doesn't deserve this nonsense ... I couldn't agree more (to decline comment)."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Miguel Berchelt to Return in Reynosa, Tamaulipas; WBC Praises City’s Commitment
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Spicing up “Thrilla” card
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • SATURDAY: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina to be Broadcast LIVE on ESPN Deportes in the United States
    , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • SUGAR NUNEZ: I’M JUST GETTING STARTED
    , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Jennifer Lozano’s Targets Run at 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • University of the Philippines is Quezon City chess champ
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Ultimate Arm Wrestling Showdown on Sept. 7 in Digos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Technological evolution or revolution?
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Result or Matias-Smith WBC super lightweight title match purse bid
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Vicelles fights in Japan on Sept. 7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Yoelvis Gomez Speaks After Winning the WBA Continental Latin America Title
    , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Connor Coyle sets the record straight ‘Clean from Day One. Never cheated, never will’
    , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Requito stops Bambam in 3rd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Villarosa draws with Labajo, Enano wins
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Suarez, Magsayo Reliving High Point in PH Boxing at Super Featherweights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Pacman back into full-time boxing
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Unbeaten Laurente Dominates Marapu to Capture IBF Pan-Pacific Lightweight Crown; Gaballo Wins in Co-Main Event
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Thunderdome 51 Review: Perth’s Joel Lewis claims title with stunning knockout
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Paulette Cuesta and Susy Kandy Sandoval Set for Highly Anticipated Rematch in Tijuana
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • OKC Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champs
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Pacman sets ‘Thrilla’ commemoration
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Historic win for Paolo Gallito who edges Lee Van Cortez in the finals of the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.