For the last few years professional boxing coach Freddie Roach’s services have been at a high level of demand. I cannot think of any other trainer ever being sought after by so many world class fighters. After working the corner of Roman Karmazin tonight in New York’s boxing mecca, Madison Square Garden, Roach will fly back to Los Angeles and bypass taking a day off on Monday, for the Martin Luther King holiday. Roach will find himself back at his fistic classroom, The Wild Card Gym, with his latest pupil…former world cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gomez.
Gomez’s shady reputation within boxing circles is legendary and most recently he finds himself headed to a legal showdown with German based promotional firm Arena Boxing. Even though the Cuban fighter’s promotional status is unclear, Roach took on Gomez due to the incredible amount of upside and boxing skill the left-handed heavyweight possesses.
One thing is clear, Roach sat down with Gomez and explained play time is over; when a fighter partners up with Roach, dedication and seriousness is expected.
Monday marks the first day of Gomez and Roach’s partnership.
Bernard Hopkins had requested the services of Roach for his upcoming light heavyweight showdown with Joe Calzaghe. Roach, who would like to train Hopkins, declined due to a scheduling conflicts. Roach will be training Manny Pacquiao for a March 15 rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez, when Hopkins breaks for camp.
Hopkin’s fight with Calzaghe is slated for April 19 but Bernard wants to start his training early and Roach could not commit to being there for the opening of camp.
And speaking of Pacquiao, Roach has made it official, the Wild Card Gym will be closed to the public during the Filipino’s camp. When Pacquiao trains at the Wild Card there is the tendency for fans to filter into the gym to catch a glimpse of the General Santos icon.
No such luck this time.
With Pacquiao going into a critical rematch, Roach wants to keep the environment controlled and focused.
