Freddie Roach sat down with Boxingtalk this afternoon and gave us a good update on his lengthy stable.? Roach talks about what Bobby Pacquiao must do in order to get by a very difficult fighter in Humberto Soto.? Roach also touches on James Toney, Peter Manfredo Jr, Bernard Hopkins, and all of the latest regarding Manny Pacquiao.
BC – Bobby Pacquiao has a difficult task ahead of him in Humberto Soto, talk about what he must do in order to win this fight.
FR – It’s a very difficult fight for Bobby, I know we are not favored to win this one.? Bobby has been training very well, and he is more hungry than ever.? The thing is Bobby is a good puncher, and I think we have a chance to catch Humberto. BC – A lot of people don’t realize that Bobby is a very hard puncher.
FR – He has great power, he doesn’t have the speed and combinations like his brother does, but yes he has great power. BC – Bobby has had some issues with low-blows, and warnings, and points being taken away, have you talked to him about this? FR – We have talked about that, he had a lot of things that were distracting him last time.? Manny was in town the same week, fighting at the same time.? Bobby kind of got left behind, the thing is he was kind of on the sidelines, and I think he had some issues with that.? This time he doesn’t have to worry about his brother, all he has to do is worry about the guy in front of him.? His weight was down to 133lbs yesterday, he will spar for the last time today, and he will leave on Tuesday. BC – Do you think that the only way Bobby beats Humberto is by KO?
FR – Yea, it will be tough for him to win on points.? I think he needs to use his power to catch this guy, he has been working hard in the gym and obviously Soto likes to fight, so maybe in between one of his shots, Bobby can catch him.? We are definitely going for it, we will look to close the distance, and get this guy out of there.
BC – It seems like Manny Pacquiao’s story just never ends.? There are rumors of different next opponents for him.? Who do you think will be Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent?
FR – Well everybody wants it to be Barrera.? I think he deserves the rematch, and he feels it too as he keeps talking about how he wants to avenge his defeat.? I think that’s the biggest money fight at this point.? I just don’t know if that’s going to be possible because of the promoter issue.? Valero is a dangerous guy, but we can’t fight him in America, and I want Manny on American television.? If I had the perfect scenario, I would like to fight Barrera first, and Marquez second.? Marquez vs Pacquiao is the mandatory, but I don’t think Manny will take that fight because when a mandatory happens it’s a 70/30 split, and I don’t think Manny will take that.
BC – So with that said, who do you think will be next for him (laughs).
FR – Well now they are talking about Juan Guzman, and I think he is the most dangerous.? If Manny is going to fight Guzman, I would like him to have one fight before that.? Manny has been not concentrating on boxing with the election, so I would want him to get one fight before that fight.? There is no opponent out there that Manny wont take, but the terms have to be correct. BC – How do you see a Juan Guzman vs Manny Pacquiao match-up? FR – That’s a good match-up.? Guzman doesn’t punch like Manny does, but he matches up pretty good with him.? Guzman is in great shape, durable guy, it’s a fight that I would like to see.? I don’t think there is a 130lb fighter in the world that can beat Manny, and we aren’t going to duck anybody, but it’s about timing.?
BC – James Toney got a UD in his last effort, what are your thoughts on his fight?
FR – You know it was a boring fight, James is a counter-puncher and the guy he fought didn’t want to engage too much.? James needs to look at that fight and make a decision, either get in shape and fight like you know how, or retire.? If he can’t do any better against a guy like that, how is he going to do against a guy like Klitschko?? James is my friend, and I hate to see anybody get hurt.? James needs to get in 100 percent shape, or not do this anymore.? I am not the only one that is telling him this, there is a time when it has to end, he has had a long career.
BC – Are things with you and Peter Manfredo Jr ok? FR – We spoke before the fight, things are fine.? There is no problem, I wish I could have made his fight over in Whales, but I don’t think that I could have done anything for him over there (laughs).
BC – Freddie I think his fight against Joe Calzaghe was pretty much? pre-determined before he even got on the plane to go over there.
FR – (laughs).
BC – You are training with another legend in Bernard Hopkins.? Bernard has a big fight coming up against Winky Wright, talk about that.
FR – Bernard is a hard worker, and that makes my job a lot easier.? This fight is about styles, Winky has great defense, and a great counter-puncher off of the ropes.? His defense is great, but not unbreakable.? We will work on breaking through his defense.? I am looking forward to working with Bernard, we will close the Wild Card down to the public so he can be 100 percent focused on this one.
BC – Winky gets into that turtle shell, and it’s a tough defense to crack, how do you intend on breaking through it? FR – It’s tough, but it’s a little passive.? We will work very hard on it, I have a guy that’s coming in that will help Bernard with that.
BC – Do you think there will be a De La Hoya vs Mayweather two? FR – I haven’t talked to Oscar about that, the build up was bigger than the fight.? Mayweather kept talking about how he was going to beat him, saying he was going to knock him out, but the guy ran for most of the fight.? We tried to make it a fight, but he kept running.? It could happen, but I don’t think it will happen anytime soon.
BC – What’s the latest on a possible Gerry Penalosa vs Jhonny Gonzalez fight?
FR – That fight is almost a done deal, I think Penalosa will be the champion after that one is all said and done.? I look forward to that one, it’s just about a done deal… looks good.
