LOS ANGELES?The Boxing Writers Association of America named the Pride of the Philippines Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach boxer of the year and trainer of the year, respectively.
“I really expected it. We had a great year,” said Roach to the Asian Journal. Roach and Pacquiao found out that they were the recipients of the prestigious award last Saturday, March 21. Pacquiao and Roach won the awards after a stellar 2008 campaign when they teamed up to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC Super Featherweight title, David Diaz for the WBC Lightweight title, and The Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya.
For Roach this is the third time he?s won the award. He won in 2003 when he trained James “Light?s Out” Toney, and 2005, when he also trained Pacquiao.
“It?s a great feeling when people recognize what you do,” he said. “It?s very good. I?m glad that I train the best fighter in the world. And I think that?s the reason why I won, it?s because of Manny Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao was not made available to comment about the award.
Training update
Pacquiao looked lean and strong as he continues to prepare for a Las Vegas showdown against Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton on May 2.
Training camp just recently went underway and Roach is very optimistic about his fighter?s chances.
“Manny is doing well. I think he?s going to dominate Hatton. I think we?re going to knock him out early. We have a great game plan and I think Manny is going to fight another perfect fight,” said Roach.
Roach added that there are five more weeks of training left but that everything in camp is going well.
No more autographs
Roach made it clear that Pacquiao autograph seekers will not be permitted inside the Wildcard during or after Pacquiao?s workout. It used to be a common occurrence that three or five people would wait at the parking lot to catch Pacquiao for an autograph. However, when Roach and Pacquiao?s sudden popularity has risen, the two were surprised when they found 50 autograph seekers crowding the lot during the first week of training camp.
Pacquiao?s camp has designated this Saturday, March 28 at 4:00 pm and April 4 for those wishing to come by and have Pacquiao sign whatever memorabilia they have.
