Freddie Roach doesn’t have much of a filter, but when the man speaks it’s best to listen. Roach has been on an incredible string of correct predictions.
Talking to ontheropes Freddie Roach argues persuasively that Shane Mosley will have a difficult time dealing with the speed and movement of Floyd Mayweather. Roach points out that Mosley has traditionally had more success with aggressive fighters.
The more interesting prediction from Freddie is that Manny Pacquiao is fast approaching the end of his career. Roach offers that if Manny is unable to make a fight with Floyd Mayweather he may choose to retire instead. Roach says, “If Mayweather doesn’t come around after the fight and come around to fight us this could be the last one.”
Far be it from me to disagree with Freddie Roach who seems to have a special relationship with his fighter, but somehow I doubt his assertion. It’s not exactly a risk to predict a fighter will continue his career – very few ever retire near their peak – but many have thought that Manny might be an exception to the rule.
I think, particularly for American fans, Manny has come across as exotic and different. He appears to take great joy in simple pleasures and has a profound relationship with god. There seemed to be something about Manny that said he could be content anywhere and doing anything.
I don’t think Manny has really changed, but I think our understanding of him might have. While I think he truly is a humble man he clearly loves his position and his celebrity. He has grown into the role of a superstar and seems intoxicated with the lifestyle. He has recently starred in his own action move, has performed a concert following a fight, and is going to be the main attraction at the most attended boxing match in recent American history.
He loves it. He loves being a celebrity. Fighters like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Floyd Mayweather have found it impossible to step away from the ring, to step out of the spotlight. Somehow it seemed Manny was different, but when you see Manny now, so fully comfortable in his position as a cultural king, it just seems so unlikely.
If Manny, like many others, was the type who could step down easily once he had scaled the heights he would never have gotten this high in the first place. Manny wants to be great, and he loves to be loved, and it’s hard to step away.
