Earlier tonight at Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, trainer Freddie Roach was spotted working the corner of lightweight prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. The 18-year old would win a second round TKO over Manuel Delcid to improve his record to 8-0 with 8 stoppages and moments after the fight Roach made his way to speak with promoter Bob Arum.
Arum is still grieving from the tragedy that struck his family recently as it was revealed his 49-year old son John had passed on a solo hiking trip in Seattle. Roach and Arum spoke for about five minutes and the Massachusetts trainer paid the legendary promoter his respect.
Before leaving to the dressing room Roach stopped by and spoke to the Examiner about a few topics. Roach is getting ready to leave for Metro Manila in the Philippines in roughly a week?s time to help his star charge Manny Pacquiao as he prepares for a November 13th clash with Antonio Margarito.
The original plan had been for Roach to take welterweight Rashad Holloway, junior middleweight Vanes Martirosyan and 24-year old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on the trip with him to serve as Pacquiao?s sparring partners but their have been a change in plans. Roach revealed that Arum advised him that Chavez Jr. will not be making the trip overseas, confirming a rumor that had been circulating for the past few weeks.
Chavez was looking towards a December 4th showdown with WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and was apparently unhappy with how a four-week training camp in the Philippines would affect his own personal regimen towards a fight with the Puerto Rican star. Roach confirmed that it is likely the Cotto fight will be scratched and also noted that 20-year old Glen Tapia from New Jersey will fill the void as a chief sparring mate instead.
Expect more from Roach in the coming days?
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
