Boxingtalk.com just caught up with the second most famous man in The Philippines, Freddie Roach. Freddie talks about James Toney’s upcoming World Heavyweight Championship against Hasim Rahman, and gives up a very in depth look into the Manny Pacquiao situation. Roach comments on what looks like a collision course between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera in the near future. You don’t want to miss what else Freddie Roach had to say in this EXCLUSIVE Boxingtalk interview.
BT – Freddie all systems go for the Heavyweight showdown between Toney and Rahman?
FR – Yes definitely ready to go, James got 12 rounds in today. Training camp went great, and now Toney is just starting to taper off from camp, and he’s ready to go.
BT- Last time we talked Freddie, you said you would be happy to see James at 230lb, I spoke with Foley today and he told me James was 228lb.
FR – Well James doesn’t always tell people the truth about his weight (laughs), but you know what? whatever he weighs, he weighs. So many people are asking him that question that he is just throwing numbers around. He told me never worry about the weight, and I told him during his last fight that if he looks good I won’t bother him about the weight, and he looked good, so I have no problem. I know he’s in shape no matter what weight he is.
BT – Hasim Rahman is a natural Heavyweight, and probably the biggest guy James has ever fought. Talk about James’ mind-set going into this fight.
FR – James knows Rahman is a big puncher, but he’s not worried about that, he’s never been hurt in his life. Rahman once in his life gets lucky with a big right hand against Lewis. When since Lewis has Rahman looked that good? He struggled with Monty Barrett, and said it was because they were friends…give me a break, there are no friends in boxing.
BT – Freddie, James Toney doesn’t have many friends in boxing either (laughs)
FR – (laughs) – No, he doesn’t. Maybe when he retired he will, but going into a fight he hates his opponents.
BT – Freddie, if James wins this thing he becomes the Heavyweight Champion, that’s not a bad year for you.
FR – Yea, and this year just began (laughing).
BT – Manny Pacquiao fights next …where? and against who?
FR – Right now HBO is out of the picture, and we can pick any opponent we want. Larios doesn’t want to go to The Philippines, but we are going to fight In the Philippines next. Manny wants to do this, it’s very important for him to fight in The Philippines next.
BT – Freddie so it’s a safe guess that Manny Pacquiao’s next fight will be in The Philippines.
FR – Yes, pretty safe bet. I do believe it’s going to happen, it’s very important to Manny for this to happen. It means so much to Manny to do this for his countrymen. People are telling me that if he fights in The Philippines that there will be too many distractions. But you know what? I won’t let that happen, I will take Manny up into the mountains to train, I want this fight in The Philippines for Manny’s fans too. So, whoever we fight next, I think it’s a safe bet that it will be in The Philippines. ( a few seconds of silence ) – Maybe Barrera wants to come to The Philippines ( chuckles )?
BT – Freddie, you’re starting trouble (LAUGHING).
FR – (LAUGHING HARD).
BT – Ok you brought it up first (laughs) Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez may fight, and afterward it seems Marco is ready to fight Manny.
FR – It’s a good fight for Rocky Juarez, and a good opportunity for him but I think Barrera has too much skill, and experience for him to handle, I see Barrera winning that fight. Manny beat Barrera up soundly last time they fought, he beat him up, we know that and they know that. Now Barrera wants a rematch, we know that, and myself? I think he deserves a rematch. I like Barrera, he’s a nice guy, and that fight will happen for sure! We respect Barrera, he gave Manny his shot, and we will give him his shot at a rematch.
BT – Freddie there is a lot of passion on both sides of this coin, Philippine fans, and Mexican fans. With that said, between the two camps there’s a lot of respect for one another though isn’t there?
FR – You know my ex fiance is such a Barrera fan that after Manny Pacquiao beat him, the next morning she picked me up in a black outfit, she was in mourning (laughs), because Barrera’s her favorite fighter. Barrera has done great things since he lost to Manny, so yea, he’ll get his rematch.
BT – Freddie I have to back up on one thing here before I go any further. You were just JOKING when you suggested that maybe Barrera should come to The Phillipines, right?
FR – (laughs) Yes, of course.
BT – Has Erik Morales formally accepted the rematch with Manny Pacquiao?
FR – I haven’t heard it directly from Erik Morales, but I believe Bob Arum says it’s true. They are looking at a Sept 16 date, and it’s in the contract to give the guy his rematch if he wants it. Erik deserves a rematch if he wants it, and according to to Bob Arum , he does.
BT – Can you comment on the rumors of a possible fight between Brian Viloria and Jorge Arce?
FR – That fight is probably about a year away, that fight needs to be built up. Those two guys could be showcased, and if built up right it could be a huge fight. These two are very good fighters, and will go at it, they both have proved themselves.
BT – I want to get back to Manny Pacquiao’s next fight. Is it a done deal that HBO has pulled the plug on covering that fight? And if so, will ABS take that fight on?
FR – Yes, ABS came forward with a huge offer to cover this fight. HBO decided not to go over because of the Government issues there, but I have people telling me ‘ Freddie, it’s no big deal, it happens over here all of the time ‘ (laughs). What are you going to do, you can’t force HBO to go. It’s too bad though , it would have been nice to see Manny fight in the same building as the classic “Thrilla in Manila”. I think everyone should go to The Philippines, its wide open there, how can I say it? It’s controlled chaos (laughing), There’s no rules while driving, 6 people on motorcycles, nobody gets mad on the streets, there’s chickens everywhere (LAUGHING) , it’s unbelievable. I have attempted driving over there, but I haven’t mustered up the courage yet (laughs).
BT – Freddie it’s safe to say that you are very loved in The Philippines.
FR – You know the thing is, the fans are what drives Manny. Manny is a performer, wherever we go with Manny, wether it be to the mall, or for a run, Manny puts a smile on peoples face. When I was in The Philippines last, I was driving in one of those side-cars, and this car cuts me off. I was thinking to myself ‘ Oh man, they told me I might have trouble over here’. But you know what, the car that cut me off was filled with a bunch of guys that saw me, and just wanted an autograph. It’s a great feeling to be over there, Manny is bigger than Muhammad Ali was in his prime over here.
BT – Freddie do you have anything you would like to say in closing?
FR – I want to say thank you for your support, keep it going. To the Philippine fans, you have the greatest 130lb fighter in the world today. I very much look forward to coming to The Philippines to see my friends soon.
