Earlier this month Freddie Roach requested the services of his fighter Rashad Holloway, hoping that the Cincinnati native would take him up on an offer to travel to the Philippines to assist Manny Pacquiao in camp. Having sparred several rounds with the General Santos City fighter already, Holloway seemed like a sound fit as Pacquiao heads into his November 13th battle with former champion Antonio Margarito.
A few weeks later Holloway stated that he would be leaving overseas on Friday, September 17th while other news had unbeaten junior middleweight Vanes Martirosyan, twice-beaten Mexican Michael Medina and New Jersey prospect Glen Tapia also being a part of the camp while reports were split as to whether Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would join the mix or not.
But earlier today Holloway revealed that he indeed is not in Baguio City with Pacquiao and the crew and is instead still in Los Angeles, where he has been since the beginning of summer after relocating from Las Vegas. While a trip to the Philippines is still an option, Holloway seems more interested in his own career at the moment.
?They wanted me to go a few weeks after them but I don?t really know what is going to happen,? the 29-year old said. ?I?m kind of tired of sparring and I just want to fight right now. I want to get back in the ring.?
Holloway has been eyeing an ESPN date against rugged Antwone Smith, a fight that would surely thrust his name into the forefront if he was victorious. Smith is coming off of a ninth round TKO loss to Lanardo Tyner in July in which he faded late but Holloway isn?t completely dismissive of the Miami, Florida fighter? abilities.
?Antwone has a lot of balls,? Holloway said with respect. ?He did well in that fight but Lanardo just had too much will. He overwhelmed him. But Antwone can fight a little bit. He has that Mayweather shoulder roll and he throws a nice right hand.?
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One thing you can knock against Holloway is that he hasn?t stayed as busy as he would have liked in his career, as he has compiled an 11-1-2 record with 5 stoppages in over five years as professional. Holloway is in the midst of another spell of inactivity, his last bout being a majority draw to Francisco ?Gato? Figueroa last November, but he insists that Smith wouldn?t be able to cope with him.
?I would just be too much for him,? Holloway claimed. ?I have too much height and range and I can do everything that he can. I?m a lot more physical than him and I?ve been pushing around bigger guys in the gym.?
At the moment Holloway is simply living in the moment, living day to day and training at the Wild Card Gym in hopes of landing a meaningful fight. Whether or not he ends up joining Team Pacquiao in a week?s time remains to be seen but it is something he is definitely open to.
?It?s all up to my coach,? Holloway said of Roach. ?It?s his call. I still don?t know what would happen but I would love the opportunity if it did happen. A lot of people over there have already shown me a lot of love and it would be a new experience for me.?
Meanwhile Pacquiao has begun light training with Roach at the Elorde Gym in Manila and they will be hitting up Baguio City this Sunday with sparring to commence on Tuesday.
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
