The smartest move Amir Khan ever made was taking his imperfect but promising game to the United States to learn from the most astute trainer in boxing, Freddie Roach, at his Wild Card gym in Hollywood. It has been the making of Bolton’s world champion.
But Roach is no big-hearted Uncle Freddie, doling out his wisdom for no return. He knows he has a gem in Khan – as well as the perfect sparring partner for the star of the stable, Manny Pacquiao. And that is why he wanted to get the Pacman away from the Philippines and sharpen his reflexes against Khan.
In a business brimming with horse manure, Roach smells of roses. I don’t know too many trainers who would be as candid about their fighter’s faltering preparation on the eve of a major fight as Roach is about Pacquiao. There is tension in the camp, no question, as the Philippines’ most revered public figure struggles with the adoration of his 90 million compatriots when he should be thinking only about Miguel Cotto and their fight in Las Vegas on 14 November.
“His focus is just not there right now,” Roach says on HBO’s 24/7 show, as the Pacman glories in another motorcade, “and I can’t wait to get him out of here, get him back to Los Angeles and get him back on track.”
Roach has been unimpressed with Pacquiao’s sparring – so much so he has offered US$1,000 to any of the hired help who can put him down. There seems a lack of intensity in Pacquiao that Cotto surely will take as encouragement.
Michael Jennings, who was outclassed by Cotto in four rounds, thinks the Puerto Rican wins it; so, too, does Kell Brook, who had to pull out of a British title fight with Jennings because of a virus.
Unless Roach can clear Pacquiao’s mind and get him down to some serious work with Khan over the next two weeks, Jennings and Brook could be proved right.
And, if Pacquiao really is off his game, Khan might be picking up an easy grand.
