?It looks like Valero will be next for Pacquiao, Hatton next year.? – – Freddie Roach
Boxing Herald caught up with Freddie Roach and got his thoughts on Manny Pacquiao’s knockout win over David Diaz. Roach also informs us that it looks like Manny’s next opponent will be Venezuela’s undefeated knockout artist, Edwin Valero. According to Roach, current IBF Jr Welterweight champ Paulie Malignaggi has refused to take a step aside fee, and Arum just doesn’t see Hatton in the cards this time around.
BH ? Freddie thanks for joining Boxing Herald.
FR ? Thanks for having me.
BH ? Give me your thoughts on Manny Pacquiao’s performance against David Diaz.
FR ? Manny put it all together. He fought the perfect fight, and everything that we worked on in the gym came together. I have been telling him that his right hand has been getting better, and better. Manny really worked hard on his right hand in this camp, and I think that’s what won him the fight.
BH ? Do you believe Manny got that much better, or do you believe that he had the perfect stationary target in front of him?
FR ? Well I think it’s a little bit of both. Obviously Manny had a huge advantage with foot and hand speed in the fight. We were working on that right hand before, but against a counter puncher like Marquez it’s more difficult. Against Diaz, a much more stationary type fighter, that likes to trade with you, he was pretty much made for us, yes. He was a good style for us, but Manny put everything together, so it was a little bit of both.
BH ? Manny walked over to Diaz after he knocked him out, and tried to help him up. Give me your thoughts on that.
FR ? He’s a good kid, it’s just his character to do something like that. Manny was looking at the referee to stop that fight a couple of times. Manny broke down Diaz, and knocked him out. I give Diaz a lot of respect, he has a lot of balls.
BH ? Diaz said that it felt like he was fighting 4 or 5 Pacquiao’s with a knife.
FR ? (Laughs) I heard he said that it felt like I was hitting him too. One thing, Manny now realizes how well he can use that right hand. That will help his boxing career a lot, because now he knows how effective it is. Pacquiao has fast feet, and when he gets up on his toes like that, he’s so explosive, you can’t judge when he’s coming.
BH ? He looked like a natural 135lb fighter. Can you clear something up for us? Can you tell us if Manny’s next opponent will be Ricky Hatton, or Edwin Valero?
FR ? I talked to Bob Arum yesterday, and he said that Ricky Hatton just wont be available this time around. Hatton will be fighting Malignaggi, and Paulie won’t step aside for Manny. It looks like we’ll fight Hatton next year, and Valero sometime in November. Valero is not a real fast guy, so he’ll have trouble with Manny speed. He’s a heavy puncher, but he’s not so fast, so I think he will have some trouble with Manny. The Pacquiao vs Valero fight isn’t signed sealed and delivered yet, but it looks like Honda, and Arum have it worked out, so we are going to concentrate on that fight right now.
BH ? Valero hasn’t fought near the talent level that Manny has, do you think he’s over hyped?
FR ? Valero sparred Manny like 5 years ago, it was a long time ago but Manny handled him pretty good then. We have to worry about Valero’s punching power, he has one punch knockout power, and we respect that. We need to work on Manny’s defense a little bit, he got hit a few times by David Diaz. It will be a very similar type fight against Valero, as it was against Diaz style wise.
BH ? If a Ricky Hatton fight does happen next year, how well will Manny carry 140lbs?
FR ? Well we will probably have Manny come in at 138lbs. I don’t think we will go all the way up to 140lbs. Manny is getting a little big stronger on the inside, and I think Hatton’s style suits us very well though. I think his popularity and Manny’s popularity will equal a huge, huge PPV fight.
BH ? When will you guys start camp for Valero?
FR ? Well they are talking about the fight taking place for November. I would rather fight in December, and have a little more time. It looks like November is the only date available for the PPV. Manny will be here at least 7 weeks before the fight. Manny has a busy schedule as well, he’ll be in school, and he is going to be supporting his countrymen in the Olympics. We won’t take this fight lightly of course, so we’ll be ready regardless.
BH ? Ana Julaton fought to a draw, talk about her performance.
FR ? She fought a really good counter puncher, and she got a little bit frustrated. She has a little trouble fighting someone with a counter punch style, they just wait, and wait, and counter on you. This is a great learning experience for her and I think she will grow from here.
BH ? What do you think her potential is?
FR ? Well she’s still young, but I have seen some of the current women’s champion and I think she has the potential to be a world champ. She has some things to learn, and when she learns to use her power, she will be even more effective.
BH ? Bernabe Concepcion is scheduled to fight later this month. How is he looking Freddie?
FR ? Well he boxed today in the ring, he is looking good, and he’s a hard worker. They are talking about if he wins his next fight, he will be in line for a title fight. He’s just a 20 year old kid, so I am not going to rush him. If he shows me that he is ready for a title shot in this next fight, we’ll go from there, but if not, we may take another stepping stone.
BH ? Freddie, I know you’re busy so do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?
FR ? I want to thank all of the Filipino fans that came out to support Manny. I want to thank all of Manny’s fans from around the world, it was great to see such a huge crowd. I want to thank the Mexican fans as well, and we’ll see you at the next one, thanks a lot.
