MANILA, Philippines ? Freddie Roach could be boxing?s busiest man today.
After helping steer Manny Pacquiao to his eighth title in as many divisions last November 13 against Antonio Margarito, the year doesn?t end for the 50-year-old American trainer as he looks forward to three more fights before being able to enjoy a much deserved Yuletide break.
Roach will be at the corner of NABF and NABO cruiserweight (200 lbs) Lateef Kayode when the Nigerian boxer faces Ed Perry in California on December 3. The next day, December 4, he will take charge in the corner of middleweight hotshot Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. who takes on Alfonso Gomez in Anaheim California.
A week after, on the 11th, Roach will be on tap for one of his prized ward?s corner as he supervises the corner of British junior welterweight champion Amir Khan against Marcos Rene Maidana of Argentina.
Roach actually begged off from manning the corner of Wladimir Sidorenko, who is set to face Filipino WBA interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. on the undercard of the Chavez-Gomez event, saying that he needs to focus more on Chavez Jr.?s corner.
?I had to turn that (training Sidorenko) down because of the Chavez fight being on the same night,? Roach said in an interview with Fanhouse?s Lem Satterfield. ?Sidorenko knew that this was going to happen two months ago. But he still comes in three times a week for sparring.?
Nowadays, Roach has been very vocal in saying that he favors either WBO/WBA lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez or WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto to be Pacquiao?s next opponent.
?They have history between them. They’ve fought twice, and they were close fights,? Roach said when asked why he thinks a third fight with Marquez will be the most viable match for the Filipino boxing superstar. ?They were very good fights for boxing and very competitive. Manny beat him and fought him to a draw, and Marquez knows Manny and knows what gives Manny trouble.?
?Marquez has been down four times in the two fights, but he’s gotten up and made the fight. He is a very durable guy and he’s got an audience and a fan base behind him. So he’s marketable,? he adds.
Coming off a loss against unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr. earlier this year, Marquez returns to the ring this Sunday (Manila time) to defend his belts against Michael Katsidis of Australia in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Andre Berto, on the other hand, has also been mentioned as one of Pacquiao?s prospective foes, owing to his youthful and speedy style that will definitely pose a stiff challenge against the Filipino boxer.
?He’s youthful, he’s fast, and he’s strong. He’s not a big puncher I don’t think, but he’s definitely a challenge,? Roach said of Berto, who carries a 26-0 win-loss card that includes 20 victories coming via knockouts.
?We would have to fight at 147, or else, those fights won’t happen,? Roach reveals, citing other possible opponents for Pacquiao such as Shane Mosley, Devon Alexander, Timothy Bradley, and even his stable mate and sparring partner Amir Khan.
?I’m not going to let Manny fight below welterweight. It’s 147, we found that when Manny can eat, he’s comfortable and doesn’t have to worry about making weight.?
Asked which corner he?ll take if ever Pacquiao and Khan get to face each other in the future, Roach replied: ?Manny Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao’s my guy.?
