Philippines, 05 Feb 2026
  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:

  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.