Boxingtalk just caught up with boxing’s busiest trainer, Freddie Roach. Freddie brings us up to speed on the big Manny Pacquaio/Erik Morales fight, James Toney/Rahman, and the rest of his stable. You don’t want to miss what Roach had to say in this Boxingtalk exclusive!
BT – Freddie, when does Manny Pacquaio return to the United States?
FR – Manny returns to Los Angeles on Saturday, and we start training on Monday for the fight. We are going to have a closed gym for Manny the same as last time. He has been training in the Philippines for the past few weeks, so he is coming back here in great shape, and we’ll get started right away.
BT – Give me your thoughts on Erik Morales, it looks like he is having some weight issues Freddie.
FR – Well, it better concern him because it’s a 250,000 dollar fine. I am guessing he will make weight (laughs).
BT – Freddie, Manny comes into this fight with a clean slate. No promoter issues, no manager issues, no boxing glove issues. Give me your thoughts on where Manny is mentally at this point.
FR – Yea, we have no excuses at all. Manny knows he took Erik lightly last time, and he is pissed at himself for doing that. Manny won’t do that this time around.
BT – Freddie looks like James Toney gets another crack at the title. Talk about Toney/Rahman in a World Title fight.
FR – Looks like Feb 4th, that’s what they are talking about. I hope it comes true, I guess Toney is the mandatory now so now they are waiting for the fight to go to the purse bidding.
BT – Freddie, when would you like to see James back in the gym?
FR – James Toney and Manny Pacquaio will both be here Monday, we’ll have the gym closed for both of them in order to start training camp.
BT – So James Toney and Manny Pacquaio will both be in the gym Monday in Los Angeles to begin their respective training camps?
FR – We hope (laughs), that’s the plan anyway (laughs) so far. Things can change with James (laughs). They are talking about that date (Feb 4th), but I don’t think it’s solid because it depends on the purse bid, and who wins.
BT – Freddie, James doesn’t want any steroid issues to haunt him this time around and I am sure you don’t either. What are your thoughts concerning the steroid issue and James Toney?
FR – When James fought Ruiz, you can look at him and tell he doesn’t look like a guy that is on roids. The thing is he was on some medication for his injury, and he came back positive. We are just thankful we have another shot at a title, and maybe after this Ruiz will want a rematch and we can kick his ***!
BT – Freddie what do you guys do against a guy like Rahman with James Toney?
FR – You know Rahman has a good right hand, and James doesn’t get hit with right hands. He is not going to be able to find James. I am not going to say it’s going to be an easy fight for James, but I like the matchup. I think it’s a great matchup for James, and I hope Klitschko gets over his injuries, and comes back so we can get at him and make some money.
BT – Can you talk to us about Israel Vazquez?
FR – I will leave Friday for Vegas to be with Israel. Israel is in great shape, and Larios is a tough guy. It’s a rubber-match, and there’s no love loss between these two guys, it should be a great fight.
BT – Freddie, Peter Manfredo Jr and Scott Pemberton. Give me your thoughts on this fight, and will you be training Peter Manfredo Jr for this one?
FR – He’s talking about coming out to train, I am waiting to hear from him. I think it’s a good fight for Peter, and I think he can win this fight. I look forward to working with him again, Peter is a good kid.
BT – Freddie, can you give us an update on Brian Viloria?
FR – We are trying to get Brian Viloria on the Manny Pacquaio/Erik Morales under-card. There is nothing solid on that yet, but we are working on it and I hope it comes through.
BT – Freddie as a boxing fan, how do you like this Bernard Hopkins/Jermain Taylor rematch?
FR – Brad honestly, when I saw these two guys the last time I was like ‘ These are the best two Middleweights out there’ ? ‘ Marvin Hagler would have killed both of these guys’ (laughs). I thought the first fight was boring, but this next one should be better. I like Jermain to win the fight, I am going with the youth on this one.
