Philippines, 28 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ROACH ACCEPTS APOLOGIES


PhilBoxing.com



GRAPEVINE, Texas (via Pera Padala) ? All?s well that ends well.
With the latest controversy believed to have been settled, the road to the mega-bout between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito moves on.

Margarito said sorry. Ditto for trainer Robert Garcia and stablemate Brandon Rios.

Paquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach, the subject of a mocking incident perpetuated by the opposing camp, accepted their apology paving the way for the World Boxing Council junior-middleweight championship fight this Saturday to proceed.

?I accepted the apology so we can move on with the fight,? Roach told this writer in an interview during Wednesday?s press conference for the undercard at the convention center of the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel.

?And the best of luck this weekend,? he added before hurrying to proceed to the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, site of the 12-round confrontation where Pacquiao will be eyeing an unprecedented eighth crown in as many divisions and Margarito seeking redemption for past sin that cost him his license to fight in California and several other State.

When asked how Saturday?s fight will go, Roach answered: "We're right where we want Manny to be, we're a hundred percent. Pacquiao ran for about 20 minutes this morning and will do around four rounds on the mitts with me, before we go through the game plan."

?Roach said he's not expecting a tough fight for Manny. "Margarito is not even close to Morales or Marquez or De la Hoya. We'll jump on him quick cause we know he's a slow starter. I do feel he'll quit along the way."

Earlier, during the presentation of fighters seeing action in the undercards, Brandon Rios of Oxnard, California, who will be opposing Omri Lowther in 10 rounds of the first televised bout spoke first.

?First of all, I want to get one thing off my chest. If Freddie Roach is out there, I?m, sorry,? he said. Things got heated up in the moment and I?m sorry.?
?It was between camps. It was a bad video from my behalf,? he added.

Top Rank?s big boss Bob Arum then introduced Margarito who, like Rios apologized to the Parkinson disease-infected Roach, saying he would never, never, would make fun of Roach.

??The video was edited,? Margarito said. ?The tape was edited.I was just arriving at the gym when someone said to me, ?Hey, Margarito, Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao is going to knock you out.? I said, ?Ooh, what fear!? and shook my hands.?

?I wish for the gentleman (Roach) to accept my apology if he was offended, he said adding he, too, apologized to anyone else he might have offended.

?If they were offended, I ask for forgiveness from all of those who have that disease,? Margarito said. ?Never, never, would I make fun of that disease.?

Garcia, for his part said he had just talked to Roach (by phone) for one minute. ?I told him, ?Freddie Roach, I want to tell you that I?m very sorry for what happened. Now that I am talking to you, I feel much better.??

All three said they want to move on.

Asked how Pacquiao reacted to the issue, Roach retorted: ?I will not let it get to Manny. He is smart and will stick to the game plan.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • ‘Not a Kid Anymore.’ Edward Vazquez Talks About How He’s Matured While Training to Face Daniel Lugo on ProBoxTV in Friday, June 5, Main Event
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Remulla, Ferrer, Matro to grace Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Tyson Fury could return in Dublin on August 1st
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Long After the Cheers: Luisito Espinosa…Battle of Manila Bay 2…and an Unofficial World Record Worth Remembering
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Jordan Orozco (16-0, 16 KOs) Continues Rapid Ascent as One of Boxing’s Most Exciting Young Stars
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures 13 Medals at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 MAY 2026: Usyk Defeats Verhoeven in Controversial Stoppage; Catterall UD Giyasov; Hiruta Beats Soliman; Sanchez KOs Torrez; Jones Stops Gualtieri
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • WBC #14 Bryan Flores Takes on Jonathan Navarro in 10-round Super Lightweight Main Event on ProBoxTV, Sat., July 18, at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif.
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • Villarosa retains PH Youth super fly crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Six More Wins on Day Eight at 2026 Copa America
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • It’s time for blue-chip prospect Marco Romero to sign with top promoter
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • General Trias Team All Set for International Chess Meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • Rosas wins PH superfly crown in first fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Spurs Shackle Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of West Finals
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Paciones defeats Laspoña, retains WBO Oriental flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Results from Panama City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Improves Strong Copa America Showing with 8 win Day
    , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Benilde Blazers wins Antipolo 2x2 chess team tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr files $175 million lawsuit against former associates and advisors
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC super middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Saudi Arabia!
    , Sun, 24 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.