Philippines, 20 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Roach takes charge of Pacquiao's training camp


PhilBoxing.com




Manny Pacquiao's chief trainer Freddie Roach arrived in General Santos Monday and readily took over from assistant Buboy Fernandez in presiding over his prized pupil's training chores at the Pacman Wild Card Gym.

Roach arrived Sunday in Manila with Pacquiao's business consultant Mike Koncz from Macau then took a flight to GenSan early Monday morning at a time when the Filipino eight-division world champion was doing his regular 30-minute roadwork at the Acharon Sports Complex oval.

The duo did the mitts for several rounds later in the afternoon before overseeing Pacquiao worked with the bags, the double end and speed balls, skip rope and light limbering exercises.

Pacquiao has been training since early February for his coming rematch with undefeated American holder of the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt Timothy Bradley set April 12 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

The arrival of Roach, assistant trainer Nonoy Neri, also from Macau where three fighters under the MP Promotions won all via stoppage, completed the training staff along with Buboy and brother Roger "Haplas," who, for nearly three weeks, had been taking charge of preparations.

"Ayos naman, mukha namang satisfied si coach Freddie sa nakita niyang progreso ng training camp (Everything looked okay. I think coach Freddie is satisfied with the progress of the training camp,)" Buboy told this writer via phone while Roach and Pacquiao were doing the gym chores.

"We did naman what we're supposed to do, prepare Manny for an expected rigorous preparation regimen that coach Freddie will implement.

"Manny's ready for whatever he will undergo in his preparations."

"Our order was to get Manny ready, physically and mentally before plunging into the nitty-gritty of preparations and he is," Buboy observed. "Today, coach Freddie merely observed the gains we had just achieved in the initial three weeks of training. Siguro bukas, medyo mabigat na."

"Ang sabi sa amin ihanda si Manny sa anumang mangyayari, so from the start, we prepared him to run after Bradley should the champ resorts to the way he fought us two years ago, " Buboy said.

"If he opts to fight by mixing it up, Manny will also be ready for that. Basta ang bottom line is kelangan manalo kami ng knockout," he said. "Sio, ysun ang gagawin naming ensayo."

"Even Manny naman, sinabi kelangan manalo ng KO at handa siya na mangyari yun. Kaya naman sa body language niya sa ensayo sa early stage pa lang, talaga namang pukpok," he said. "Manny really is very determined to win by KO at bawiin ang koronang alam naman nating ninakaw sa kanya."

One other thing that drives Pacquiao to train as hard as he can is the teasing and insults the camp of Bradley have been throwing his way. "Galit na si Manny sa mga naririning niya kaya besides winning back the title, he also wants a sweeter revenge sa mga sinasabi ng kamp ni Bradley. And when he's mad, something bad to his rival is sure to happen," Buboy assured. "At pati kami, galit din."

Buboy said members of the training team have yet to meet and talk of the plans and strategy as they had barely seen each other since Roach arrived. "Maybe tonight Freddie will call us and chart what will be the course of training sessions."

He said sparring might start this week since one of his sparring mates, Lydell Rhodes, unbeaten in 19 bouts, has been in GenSan since Sunday last week.

Also being eyed to help are former world belt-owners themselves - ex-International Boxing Federation Steve Forbes lightweight champ and once WBO junior welterweight titleholder Kendall Holt - who, most-likely would join the team when preparations move to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

Koncz, in a separate interview, could not yet tell when definitely the team will proceed to L.A., saying they still will have to talk about the plans.

Roach wanted to be at his L.A. Wild Card Gym by March 1 although Pacquiao had earlier announced he wants to resume training in the U.S. on March 12 yet or a month before the 12-round title fight.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2025: Espinosa Defeats Khegai; Benn Gets Even With Eubank Jnr; Catterall Stops Essuman
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Paras to challenge Malajika for IBO World super flyweight title on Nov. 29 in South Africa
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Lebron James is first player to play 23 seasons in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres is SJDM Woodpusher Society 3X3 Rapid Chess Tournament Champion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • RUN IT BACK! GOLDEN BOY KICKS OFF 2026 FIGHT SCHEDULE WITH NIGHT OF HIGH STAKES REMATCHES
    , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Boxlab Promotions “Night of Champions XIII” Undercard Bouts Announced
    , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Porres-Narukami fight moved to Nov. 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Rematch for the ages
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • "Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown
    , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Sat, 15 Nov 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.