Boxingtalk.com caught up with Freddie Roach, and got a good Manny Pacquiao update, and touched on the rest of Freddie’s stable as well. Roach also breaks some news only to be seen here on Boxingtalk that Peter Manfredo Jr has been challenged by The U.K.’s Joe Calzaghe, and that they have accepted the challenge. Roach also talks about James Toney, Brian Viloria, and much more!
BT – Freddie you were in Vegas with Vanes for the Mayweather undercard, talk about Vanes’s fight.
FR – Yep, Vanes won by KO in the 3rd, he looked very good. I think he’s coming along well, he’s the main sparring partner for Karmazin right now. Vanes overwhelmed his opponent, he outclassed the guy, but were about to step him up in class, and to to 8 rounders. He’s only 19 yrs old, so were not going to rush the kid.
BT – Freddie has Erik Morales officially accepted to fight at 130lb?
FR – I don’t think so, Erik keeps talking about 132lb, 135lb and I keep getting different reports. Manny is stuck on 130lbs, and if we give in anything we will give Morales an advantage, and we don’t want to do that. We are fighting Larios first on July 2nd , and then Morales IF he wants to fight at 130lb.If Morales doesn’t want to fight us at 130lb, then we are looking at a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera.
BT – Freddie, who would you guys rather fight Marco Antonio Barrera, or Erik Morales?
FR – I would like to fight both of them to be honest with you Brad. I would like to get Morales first, and then get Barrera after that. They have Barrera ranked lb for lb number 3 and Manny at number 5 ?? That’s a little curious being Pac knocked Barrera out (laughs).
BT – If Manny beats Morales again, and then beats Barrera in a rematch, where does that put Manny Pacquiao among the all time greats?
FR – If Manny beats both of these guys, both being Hall of Fame fighters he will go down as one of the greatest Phillipine fighters of all time, and one of the greatest fighters all time,there’s no doubt about that.
BT – What is Manny Pacquiao’s contractual status right now?
FR – He’s no longer under contract with Gary Shaw, he had a two fight contract with him and he fought both fights. Gary Shaw stopped by my gym today, to say hello and he knows he’s not in the picture with this upcoming fight with Pacquiao, we are promoting the show ourselves with ABS. Larios will be in The Philippines in late April after Holy Week for the press conference with Manny, and I will be there also. On May 6th in Vegas, we will have the U.S. Press Conference, and that’s when we’ll get this thing rolling.
BT – Freddie camp starts in L.A. first right?
FR – Yes, in May we will be at the Wild Card, and in June we will go to The Philippines. The fight will be in the same arena as the Thrilla in Manilla.
BT – Freddie, I am guessing you’ll shut the Wild Card Gym down for Pac’s training?
FR – Yep, definitely (laughs) I made that mistake already, not again. They gym will be closed down.
BT – What’s the status of Brian Viloria’s injury?
FR – The doctor gave him another week before Brian’s back in the gym. We are still a little bit away from a Jorge Arce fight, but eventually we want that.
BT – How do you see Brian Viloria doing against Arce?
FR – Id like a few fights before this fight, but Arce proved he can be hit, and Brian can definitely hit.
BT- James Toney, what’s the latest on James?
FR – I haven’t heard from James since the fight, I thought I would see him at the Mayweather fight, he hasn’t surfaced yet. Id like to see James fight one of these Russians, I think James has earned that, and I would like to see him go into another title fight, he’s not getting any younger. He has had a great career, and id like to see him get out on top.
BT – What’s the latest with Israel Vasquez?
FR – Looks like Vazquez will fight Wayne McCullough. Wayne used to be my guy, and he’s always wanted to fight my guy. I think he’s mad at me, he’s not been speaking very highly of me, but that’s ok, that’s the way the fight game goes. I was looking out for his interest, but I think right now he’s having a hard time swallowing that. I think Wayne will thank me one day for my decision.
BT – Freddie you have been in the wars, it must have been tough for you to stop Wayne’s last fight.
FR – Yes, it’s tough, I like Wayne, and I like his family, and I want to see Wayne go on to be a healthy dad for his kids, and his wife. It’s when Eddie told me to retire, and I didn’t. Eddie was right though, I lost 4 out of my last 5 fights (laughs) I should have listened to him.
BT – Peter Manfredo Jr, what’s the latest with him?
FR – Right now we are waiting on The Contender people. Gary Shaw came by my gym and talked about Joe Calzaghe fighting Peter Manfredo.
BT – Wait up Freddie (laughs) where did this come from? Did Calzaghe’s people make the offer to you guys, or did you guys challenge him?
FR – They made the offer to fight us, it’s a fight we are very interested in, I talked to Peter, and Peter’s dad, and we are definitely interested in this fight. Gary Shaw asked me if we wanted the fight, and we discussed it and we are willing to take it, yes. However, The Contender people have to be contacted, and we need to get things straight with them. This fight would be huge in England because The Contender show is very popular over there.
BT – How do you think Manfredo Jr will do against Calzaghe, do you think he’s ready for this fight Freddie?
FR – Well the thing is we will have to fight a good fight. Peter has that ability, and he’s getting better and better all of the time. I would like to get one fight before that fight. Peter has so much ability that he didn’t even know he had, and he learns fast. Peter is strong at 168lb, he’s strong there, he used to kill himself to make lighter weight on The Contender Show. Peter is happier, and more comfortable at 168lb.
BT – Back to Pacquiao Freddie, Oscar Larios has to come up in weight a little bit, but this guys no pushover is he?
FR – A few Philippine reporters made me mad a little bit by calling this guy a stiff. This guy is a World Champion fighter, and Manny will have to be in the same condition as he was when he beat Erik Morales. Larios has NOTHING to lose in this fight and EVERYTHING to gain. Larios says he more comfortable at 130lb, so we will respect this guy, and not take him lightly.
BT – Talk to the fans out there Freddie, and talk to the Philippine fans as well.
FR – It’s going to be great for The Philippine fans, I look forward to greeting all of them when I get there. It’s going to be the THRILLA IN MANILLA 2, the atmosphere is going to be great, and Manny Pacquiao will be ready to take care of business.
Send questions and comments to: [email protected]
