Boxing blasphemy: Mendoza brands Coach Freddie Roach as overrated

Brace yourself for what can only be a bit of boxing blasphemy.

But highly accomplished Mexican boxing agent Rafael Mendoza, known to some as “Il Padrino” and to others as “Cobra,” refuses to bow at the crowded with supplicants altar of Manny Pacquiao trainer Coach Freddie Roach.

Mendoza, long associated with dean of Mexico’s trainers Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, doesn’t say that the 50 year old Roach–winner of the Boxing Writers Trainer of the Year Aaward in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009 and a likely candidate for the honor this year–is not competent.