Recent Hall of Fame inductee, Freddie Roach, has worked with many quality fighters in his career as a world class trainer. Here’s a look at the ten best he ever handled:
Manny Pacquiao
An eight-division titlist who has become a mainstream pop culture icon, Pacquiao has grown from a raw, undisciplined, ball of frenetic energy to a more refined, focused professional fighter under the tutelage of Roach. The Hall of Fame trainer has described his star pupil as the most disciplined, most durable he has ever handled.AdChoices
James Toney
Roach described “Lights Out” as the best all-around and most naturally talented fighter he ever trained. Toney’s downfall came away from the gym as his struggle with weight issues limited a career already destined for Hall of Fame status.
Bernard Hopkins
Roach’s mentor, Eddie Futch, was also the mentor of Hopkins, so the pairing of the two seemed a natural. Personalities clashed and the Roach-Hopkins relationship broke apart, but the duo did manage to create some quality work together.
Israel Vazquez
The tough, brawling Mexican warrior added a touch of refinement thanks to the guiding hand of Roach. Vazquez would go on to be regarded as one of this era’s greatest Mexican fighters.
Virgil Hill
When asked about the hardest worker he ever trained, only two names came immediately to Roach’s mind? Manny Pacquiao and Virgil Hill. The former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champ was also Roach’s first world titlist.
Wayne McCullough
The tough Irish brawler, McCullough, offered a blend of aggression and technique that was refined by Roach’s input. “The Pocket Rocket” is regarded as one of Ireland’s all-time greatest.
Frankie Liles
The slick former super middleweight world champion is one of the most underrated world titlists of this modern era and had seven successful title defenses during his reign in the 90’s.
Steve Collins
The accomplished “Celtic Warrior” from Ireland was a tough, battle-hardened fighter who worked with Roach to smooth out the rough edges. Collins would enjoy a long reign as WBO super middleweight titlist and would vacate the title due to medical issues.
Amir Khan
The UK’s Olympic silver medalist is still a babe in the boxing woods at 24-years of age, but the fighter from Bolton, Lancashire has elite-level talent and a growing resume that includes wins over five current or former world champions. Despite Saturday’s controversial decision loss to Lamont Peterson, Khan’s star is still on the rise.
Mike Tyson
The former “Baddest Man Alive” is only ranked so low on this list because Roach came aboard at the very end of Tyson’s storied run as a heavyweight presence.
Honorable Mention: Roach worked with Oscar De la Hoya, Wladimir Klitschko, and Marlon Starling for one fight apiece.
Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. He is the editor in chief of The Boxing Tribune, the only major boxing news site that refuses to accept promoter or network advertising. He is also a contributor to Fox Sports. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.
