MANILA, Philippines ? Freddie Roach just knows Manny Pacquiao from head to toe that he would also be the first one to realize when it is time for the Filipino icon to call it a career.
And Pacquiao, Roach said, will be very much willing to follow his trainer?s advice when the time comes to finally retire.
In an article by boxingscene.com?s Chris Robinson, Roach ? who has been in Pacquiao?s corner as head trainer for more than a decade already ? said he had previously talked to his ward about the prospect of hanging up his gloves.
“The thing is, we’ve talked about that (retirement). Manny’s asked me ‘When I start showing signs of slippage and I need to retire, will you tell me?’ and I said ‘I’ll be the first one to tell you’ Manny,’? the bespectacled trainer said.
?And I said ‘When I tell you, will you retire?’ and he (Pacquiao) said ‘Of course I will,’? Roach added.
Pacquiao has been fighting professionally since 1995 ? a storied career highlighted by an unprecedented eight world titles in as many divisions and millions of dollars in fight purses. Along the way, he has transformed into a global star and an equally fierce individual in the political arena, making it to the Congress as a representative of Sarangani province.
He will take his 60th professional fight on June 9 against Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Nobody knows yet what would transpire after that.
The WBO welterweight champion initially said he will fight three more times after Bradley. But a newfound dedication to religion had him contemplating about cutting short his boxing career sooner.
Again, Roach will back Pacquiao when he decides to retire.
?Because most guys won’t (contemplate retirement when needed). We have a good relationship and I know he’s coming close to the end of his career,? he continued.
For more than 10 years, Roach has been helping Pacquiao lace up his gloves. And he will be there to help the fighting congressman hang them up for good.
