Boxingtalk sat down with Freddie Roach, fresh off of his vacation from The Philippines. Roach gives us his thoughts on the upcoming rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Freddie says that 2008 will be the year when Pacquiao starts collecting belts.
BT ? Freddie talk about your trip to The Philippines.
Freddie Roach ? We had a good time, I went over there for Manny’s birthday. It was a great party as usual (laughs). I spent some time in the sun jet skiing, and swimming. The hotel I stayed in was fabulous. I ate a lot of good food, probably too much. The last few days I spent some time in Manila. I really needed this vacation, it was a busy year for me. The Philippines was a great remedy for my tiredness.
BT ? Bob Arum joined you over there as well, I’m guessing there was some business that you attended to as well.
FR ? Yes, we negotiated the finals details of the [Juan Manuel] Marquez fight. We signed the contract over there. We also discussed future opponents, but I don’t want to look ahead too much because we have a tough fight ahead of us.
BT ? Manny is a different fighter now as opposed to the first time he fought Marquez. What do you think will be the major difference that we will see in this second fight?
FR ? The thing is, we are going to have to make some adjustments. Marquez has been a little bit more aggressive lately, but I don’t think he will do that against Manny. We have to nullify any aggressiveness that he brings. Style wise this is going to to be the toughest fight for Manny. We will start training on January 15th, and I have some fresh sparring partners that are good counter punchers. I have the tapes that I need to study this guy (Marquez), and I will put together the proper game plan. They are both different fighters, in a different era. This is going to be an exciting fight.
BT ? What’s the biggest difference you see in Manny as opposed to the first time he fought Marquez?
FR ? Well he’s a much more settled down fighter now. He thinks a lot more, and the biggest change is that he has a right hand as well as a left hand now. It’s getting better and better each time out. He’s a smarter fighter now as well. I am looking forward to a big fight this coming March 15th.
BT ? What about Marquez, what’s the biggest difference you see in him as opposed to the first time he fought Manny?
FR ? He’s a little bit more aggressive, he throws more punches. I think he’s trying to be more marketable. I hope he brings that aggressiveness to us, I would like to see him fight us. I think he’ll use the counter punching style though, that’s a tough style to deal with, but we will deal with it. I have some good sparring partners, and good counter punchers to work with Manny.
BT ? Looking at Manny’s career throughout, where do you see him? Do you still see him at his prime, or past his prime at this point?
FR ? I think he’s right at his prime right now. He’s still learning, and he listens very well. Manny is peaking right about now, he had an easy time with [Marco Antonio] Barrera in his last fight. He wasn’t the aggressive Manny that everyone is used to, but I don’t think Barrera pushed him enough for him to step it up a level.
BT ? You have known Manny a long time now. You have known him when he was broke, and you know him as a wealthy man. Is he still the same grounded guy that you used to know, or has money and fame changed him any?
FR ? Well of course with money and fame comes some change. He’s a lot bigger and famous now, but one thing about Manny, when he walks into the Wild Card Gym, there is no games. It’s all business, and his work ethic is second to none.
BT ? Will you close down the Wild Card Gym again when Manny’s training starts?
FR ? Yes, I have to. I apologize to the fans, but we have to close the gym down. We are keeping our strategy close to us, and the thing is, we are fighting a real smart fighter in Marquez, and we are not taking this lightly.
BT ? When your career is over, and when people look back at your career, what fighter do you think they will associate you with the most?
FR ? I think it will be Manny. Manny has been a great student, and a lot of my fighters have come and gone, but not Manny, he’s still here with me. I am good friends with Manny, and with his family. I respect Manny, and he respects me, it’s a good relationship.
BT ? What can the fans expect to see in this fight with Manny and Marquez?
FR – Well the thing is, we had so much success early in the last fight. We aren’t going to completely abandon that of course, we might just jump on this guy again. We are going to jump on him with both hands this time. I am sure Marquez will have a great strategy too, so it will come down to who executes the best.
BT ? Do you think Manny realizes just how bad the Mexican fans want him to lose? (laughs).
FR ? Well there are a lot of Mexican fans that like Manny because of his tenacity and will to win. There will be a lot of Mexican fans that will route for Manny, trust me (laughs).
BT ? (LAUGHS) Whatever you say Freddie (laughs). Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?
FR ? Don’t forget [Gerry] Penalosa will be fighting in late February. I look forward to a huge year for Manny Pacquiao in 2008. We have mapped out 3 fights this year with Arum, and we will be collecting belts this year Brad, 130, 135, and 140lbs.
BT ? That means the Diaz’s, no?
FR ? Yes, and of course if we win that, we want Ricky Hatton. Ricky had a great performance against Mayweather. There are certain guys at 140lbs that I will let Manny fight, and Ricky Hatton is one of them.
BT ? Is a Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton fight realistic?
FR ? Well a lot has to happen before that, we have to win the big fights at 130, and 135. If we are successful at those two fights, we want Hatton. Hatton said he wants to fight Manny as well.
BT ? Hatton vs Pacquiao is fans’ dream fight.
FR ? That is a fight that you could put in a phone booth.
BT ? Thanks for your time.
FR ? Thank you.
