When it comes to the success of a boxer, there’s a trainer standing right in his corner.
For Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, he has had the good fortune of having Freddie Roach in his corner. Regardless if whether Pacquiao would have found himself as the boxer he is today without Roach remains to be considered. But his success rate and ability to embody natural ability coupled with a measured wisdom and guidance to bring out only the best in his fighters, one cannot deny Roach’s training approach – Passion and Faith.
My opinion on Coach Roach stems mostly from what I’ve seen on HBO’s 24/7 series in the build-up before each major fight. Pacquiao and Roach have definitely contributed to the success of this show. I mentioned passion and faith as key traits for a trainer, but there is also a matter of chemistry and trust. I can see that when Roach works with Pacquiao, there is genuine love, chemistry, trust, faith, and passion.
With this, Pacquiao can do no wrong. The relationship between he and Roach works as mutual trust in one’s boxing ability and faith that Roach takes what he had been given in Pacquiao’s boxing gifts only to make him into a better boxer. It is something that Roach has managed with each his fighters.
Trainer Roach also takes a very deliberate approach to his fighters. I don’t doubt that he’s aware of the opponent’s strengths, but his mentality rests with respecting the other boxer’s ability, and finding the strengths within his own fighter to defeat the opponent.
A trainer cannot train a fighter to combat another fighter’s strength. In the sweet science, Roach makes tactics an effective strategy without losing sight of his fighter’s strengths.
He also candidly reveals his own depth as he deals with Parkinson’s Disease. There could be a point in time when Roach, a battler at heart, will lose to his body’s declining state. But since he doesn’t allow this in his fighter, his body’s surrender will not be any time soon.
Once a fight begins, the ring can be the loneliest place in the world for a boxer – standing toe to toe with an opponent that wants to knock you out as much as you don’t want to get knocked out. But with a trainer such as Roach in your corner, he has made clear that once the battle begins – there isn’t anyone better to have your back.
True success for a trainer lies for many within the win column, but long term success – hall of fame success – end of career success – is where the true victory for a boxer and trainer lies. Roach has Pacquiao’s back for sure – victory or no victory.
In the end, Pacquiao is a better boxer NOW. Nothing more can be asked of Roach – and this is what makes him the best trainer in boxing.
Most recently in March 2009, Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named Roach as “Trainer of the Year.” Additionally, the BWAA named Pacquiao as “Fighter of the Year for 2008.”
I don’t mean to suggest that it’s all about Trainer Roach. It is a matter of chemistry and a boxer’s trust in order for the boxer-trainer relationship to be a success. In addition to Pacquiao, he has also trained Oscar De La Hoya. In his fight against Floyd Mayweather, JR., Roach showed a tremendous amount of dedication to De La Hoya’s training. There was sincerity on Oscar’s part and also trust to break from the coaching of Floyd Mayweather, SR. Father-son issues aside for this fight, De La Hoya gave enough trust into Roach to provide the proper training he needed in order to give “Money Mayweather” a good fight. The fight ended in a loss for De La Hoya, but I didn’t see Roach relent in his training of his fighter.
In looking at other trainers, Roach is among elite company. In De La Hoya’s fight against Pacquiao, I was awestruck by the trainers in De La Hoya’s camp – World Boxing Hall of famer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (current trainer for Juan Manuel Marquez) and notably as an advisor, legendary trainer Angelo Dundee (trainer to the likes of Carmen Basilio, Muhammad Ali, and Sugar Ray Leonard – just to name a few). Set as the humble opposition to the De La Hoya Camp, Pacquiao and Roach remained at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California, training as they always had and emerging as winner over De La Hoya.
As for the unflappable Mayweather family, Floyd Mayweather, SR., has trained the best as well. He trained both De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
In 2003, 2006, and 2008, he was named “Trainer of the Year” by the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Roger Mayweather has also proven to be a good trainer and punch mitt holder when nephew Floyd, fought against both Hatton and De La Hoya.
As for training methods, however, I have an issue with Mayweather, JR., not allowing film of his sparring session. If I have to see Uncle Roger pitter pat punch mitts showing Floyd’s obvious speed – I get it already, what’s he got to hide? As Mayweather has stated he doesn’t look at fight film, why not let everyone see him spar?
In 24/7, I am particularly moved by the fact that Roach allows a moment of silent prayer for Pacquiao – it’s a moment to embrace the power of respect.
For Trainer Roach, he wants only the best for his fighter – sheer grace and prayer into his fighter’s everyday training can only make his fighter stronger. He is the best trainer in boxing because of respect not only for his fighter, but for himself as well.
There must be a connection between fighter and trainer. Luckily, both Roach and Pacquiao found in one another a driving need to fulfill his potential. There is no doubt also that Trainer Roach is passionate about the sport of boxing and absolutely loves what he does – this above everything is why Roach is the best trainer in boxing.
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