ACCLAIMED AMERICAN TRAINER Freddie Roach has accepted the invitation of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines to act as one of the judges in boxoffs to decide the country’s bets to the coming Southeast Asian Games.
The first boxoff was conducted Sunday with the two other events scheduled Tuesday and Saturday.
Competitions are set at the People’s Park in Baguio City although last Sunday’s bouts were held inside Abap’s Baguio gym due to inclement weather.
Joining Roach are his Filipino assistant Buboy Fernandez and American trainer Ken Porter.
All three are currently in Baguio trying to whip up Manny Pacquiao into shape for his upcoming WBO welterweight championship fight against Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.
Abap executive director Ed Picson defended the choice of Roach and company as judges.
“Roach’s eye for talent is legend. Whether amateur or pro, I would trust his inputs,” said Picson.
The boxoffs are being held to determine who among the more than 30 members of the national pool are top prospects for the SEAG set in Laos this December.
The current SEA Games format allows each country to compete only in six of the 10 weight categories with only one boxer seeing action in each class.
Also invited to assess the performances of the candidates were Inquirer columnist Recah Trinidad and Nonito Donaire Sr., who guided his sons Glenn and Nonito Jr. to the Golden Gloves championships in the United States and is generally acknowledged as responsible for his Junior’s world title.
