I have found it interesting to sit back and watch the rise of both Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach. I remember the first time I interviewed Manny Pacquiao, it was very difficult. Manny’s English was bad so I had to repeat the questions several times. Over time Manny’s English has gotten better and better, and now it’s easy to speak to him. It’s easy to speak to him once you get to him that is.
Freddie Roach’s fame has sky rocketed over the past few years as well. As Manny has grown so has Roach. I remember 4 or 5 years ago when getting an interview with Freddie Roach was a piece of cake. There were no managers to go through, no assistants, just call. It’s not that easy anymore. Perhaps you can get lucky and call the gym, and Freddie will answer, but usually someone else answers and Freddie is too busy. It’s not impossible to reach him, but it’s getting harder as time goes by. This is what success and fame does.
Roach and Paquiao are basically the same people that they have always been. It’s not the case for some of the folks that surround them though. Ironically the two men that have risen to fame are basically the same, it’s those that circle around them that have changed.
Roach and Pacquiao the people are basically the same, but the situations that surround them are not the same. Obviously when someone gets elected to Congress in a country, that brings on change. In Roach’s case, just the fact that he’s got the most famous fighter in the world, and the most famous gym in the world is enough to make huge changes.
It’s not every day where you have a fighter that is training in your gym one moment, then on TV with Jimmy Kimmel, then serving his people in Congress. Roach also has the rest of his stable that he gets back to once Manny leaves the country.
Yes, plenty has changed for Roach and Pacquiao over the years. So far both men seem as grounded as possible. Hopefully there are a few more fights left in Manny Pacquiao’s hall of fame career, and his legacy will be even greater than it already is. With his rise comes Roach’ rise, and both men deserve it.
Mississippi fight fans that I have spoken with over the years mostly adore Roach and Pacquiao both. Last night while covering the StrikeForce Challengers card in Jackson, MS, I was able to talk a lot of Pacquiao and Roach. Everyone asked me if I thought the big fight with Mayweather would happen. Everyone asked me if Manny Pacquiao could beat Mayweather. The Floyd Mayweather story just never seems to fade. This fight must happen.
Success changes people. In Freddie Roach’ case he’s basically the same person. In Manny Pacquiao’ case, he’s basically the same person as well. It’s not them that’s changed so much, it’s their surroundings, and some of the people that surround them. Of course both of their checking accounts have changed dramatically……and why not? They both have earned it.
Check out Podcasts with Roach and Pacquiao HERE
