Pacquiao, and Mexico’s Erik Morales , Freddie Roach reflects back, and talks to Boxingtalk about the fight. Roach, (2003 boxing trainer of the year award recipient) talks about Manny Pac’s performance, the controversial boxing glove size issue, and much more. Freddie Roach also talks to us about the big upcoming Heavyweight Title fight between James Toney, and John Ruiz.
BT – Freddie thanks for talking to me. What are your thoughts on the big fight between your Manny Pacquaio and Erik Morales, and what do you think Manny could have done differently to change the outcome of the fight?
FR – Manny fought a good fight, a brave fight and a lot of action. I had no problem with that, but I think we should have went to the body a lot more. I think if we went to the body earlier in the fight he possibly could have gotten him out of there in the later rounds.
BT – Freddie, Manny had to come up in weight for this fight. Do you think that had an impact on Manny’s performance?
FR – Well Morales is a bigger guy, but? no complaints there. We would like to do it again at 130 lbs, and it would be no problem. I don’t think the size was a major problem. I think we took this guy a little too lightly, everyone was telling Manny that this would be an easy fight with how he beat Barerra, and how Barrera beat Morales. so I got a little tired of that. Also a bunch of bullshit was running with Muhammad and his crew, always being a pain in the ass it’s never good for the fighter.
BT – Freddie, basically it looks like Morales simply has a better chin than Barrera.
FR – Possibly, I mean they are both tough guys, and both World Champs, but Morales is a little more resiliant yes.
BT – Freddie, talk about the whole boxing glove size issue in this fight.
FR – These people tell me that it doesn’t make a difference?? Okay, well let’s say we give Tiger Woods a brand new pair of golf clubs, and let’s see how many strokes it costs him in the game. If we had our Reyes gloves that we are used to using, and these are the gloves that we use all acrossed America, don’t tell me that it doesn’t make a difference, because it does. The other gloves have twice as much padding, they were not comfortable for Manny, not for punching. So we ended up using Morales’s golf clubs , not ours.
BT – Freddie so if a rematch goes down between these two guys again, you are not bending this time around. It will be Reyes gloves or bust?
FR – Well, since native fighters who are world champions, because the champions does have choice we will go with Nevada’s new rules, and we will wear Reyes gloves, and he will wear whatever he wants to wear.
BT – Freddie, what do you think Manny learned the most coming out of this fight, and coming up a little short on the cards?
FR – He could have stuck to his gameplan a little more. He could have been more focused, I was hoping we could get a rematch right away but I hear Morales is making other plans so far. We are pushing for a rematch with Morales this september, but if that doesn’t happen we will go after barrera’s two belts. Marquez is still at 126, so that is also a no problem fight. With that said, we want Morales first over everyone.
BT – Freddie, let’s change gears for a minute. Talk about the big fight you guys have coming up with James Toney, and John Ruiz.
FR – James is doing good with training, he’s coming in today to do some sparring. James is working hard, his weight needs to come down a little more, maybe about 15 more pounds to go.? Ruiz is a tough fighter, all these people tell me he can’t fight but the guy is Heavy Weight Champ, he has proven us wrong before. We will not take him Ruiz lightly, he’s a tough guy.
BT – Freddie talk a little more about Ruiz’s style.
FR – I mean the guy fights ugly, but it works for him you know? He kind of mugs you a little bit, but James is too smart to fall into that trap. James has seen everything in the ring, so he will be ready for that.
BT – What about the size difference, is that a concern to you at all?
FR – Yeah, definitely James was a middleweight, I mean he is definitely a heavyweight now but Ruiz has a been a heavyweight his whole life. He is a little bit bigger, but he’s not a great puncher, and James has a great chin. So, with all of that said we are not too concerned with that.
BT – Freddie, what about James mindset, is he mentally ready for this fight?
FR – Yeah, James is motivated, the winner will go on to fight the big fight with Klitschko and it doesn’t get any bigger than that, so if that doesn’t motivate someone, nothing will.
BT – What kind of fight do you think this will be Freddie? Will Ruiz be clutching and grabbing? what are your thoughts on what sort of fight you think this will be?
FR – Well, we are going to fight on the inside because my philosophy is, if James can break down this guy’s body we will knock him out, so that’s our plan. we want to fight underneath this guy, when he tries to lay on you, you just got to step out to the side, and bob and weave under that stuff and it shouldn’t be no problem. The thing is, I think we are pretty prepared for this guy’s style, I mean I don’t know if Ruiz is going to fight, or if Stoney is going to fight, but I hope they both do. Stoney wants to be part of the show you know? He likes the attention, I told him to be quiet during the press conference, because it’s not the trainers show, it’s the fighters show. Let the fighters do the talking you know? Stoney has too much respect to mess with me, and I don’t mess around with people like that, I mean I have known Stoney for a thousand years, so I have nothing against him, I realize he is trying to motivate his fighter, but let Ruiz do the talking because he is the one who has to get into the ring.
BT – Freddie, I am guessing that you won’t lose any sleep if Stoney gets tossed out of this fight too (laughing)
FR – He will probably get thrown out, he will probably try to use that in his favor. The thing is James is going to talk shit, and Stoney doesn’t take it very well.
BT – Freddie, James can definitely talk shit (laughing)
FR – Yup, and he will back it up too!
BT – Freddie, I know you are real busy so I want to thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule to do this interview.
FR – Brad, no problem keep in touch.
