FightFan.com caught up with legendary trainer Freddie Roach and got some reflections back on Manny Pacquiao’s last victory over Eric Morales. LISTEN in as Freddie gives his in depth take on the fight, what’s left for Morales and what’s next for the Pac man. Only on FightFan.com!
FF: Hey Freddie, we haven’t talked to you since early in November so we wanted to start out by asking about the third Morales Pacquiao fight. Can you sum up how pleased you were with Manny performance?
FR: I was really please and surprised. Obviously Morales looked great and appeared to be in great shape for the fight but he didn’t seem to have the strength to deal with Manny’s power. The quick stoppage was really nice because I didn’t have to go up and down the steps too many times.
FF: Going into the fight, did you have a feeling Manny could get it done so quickly?
FR: I was a little bit nervous going into the fight because Manny told me he didn’t feel well. He had a fever and told me he had the chills a little bit and didn’t feel very well. I told him he’d have to do the best he can and he said he’d do his best.
Eric came out with a fast start which helped us of course. That first knock down was beautiful because every day we worked on that in the gym. We were sliding along the ropes and Eric turned right into it and it worked just like we’d planned. I was really happy with that and it was a great fight for Manny.
FF: After Morales was down in the second round, what did you tell Manny between the second and third rounds?
FR: Just to take his time and work the body and the head will come. Manny was in complete control at that point and it was only a matter of time.
FF: Did you have a good view of Morales when he went down for the final time at the end of the third? The reason I ask is that a lot of talk was made of him shaking his head “No.” Is there any shame in him knowing he was a beaten fighter?
FR: I don’t think I would do that I’d like to say, but it wasn’t me in that situation. I think he was overwhelmed by Manny. I think he knew he couldn’t compete with him and that Manny’s strength was too much for him at that point. He’s a hall of fame fighter and a great fighter so I don’t think there’s any shame in it, no. We’ve seen Alexis Arguello do it, fighters who are near the end of their career. He was in with a young tiger like Pacquiao and he just couldn’t keep up with him.
FF: We were fortunate to spend a day in camp with you guys prior to the fight. Can you tell us how much of an impact the way things went in camp had on the fight?
FR: Definitely. We were in great spirits for the fight and had and eight week training camp. We trained really hard and had great sparring partners and were just really prepared for the fight. Manny has really matured into a solid 130 pounder and he’s getting stronger and bigger and better all the time.
FF: It’s easy for some to look at that fight and note how much Eric Morales has faded in recent years. Do you think there’s some validity to that statement or is it more about what Manny has done recently to progress as a fighter?
FR: I think it’s a little bit of both really. Eric has had a long hard career and had some tough fights. He’s had wars with Barrera and those guys. He’s a game fighter but wear and tear probably had a little bit to do with it. Age is something we all can’t get away from. We all get older. I hear he may come back at 135 pounds and is looking at fighting Diaz for the title and I hope he does well.
FF: Freddie you have said for a long time that Manny’s right hand would some day catch up to his left and possibly eclipse it. Has that time arrived?
FR: Not yet I don’t think, but it’s getting there. In the fight it was a punch Eric wasn’t prepared for and it worked really well in that fight. Manny just needs to shorten it up a little bit and it would be a lot better, but it’s getting there.
FF: In regards to the growth Manny has made in the last few years as a fighter, could you compare the fighter he is now with the stage he was at a few years ago when he fought Barrera?
FR: I think he’s improved quite a bit and he’s also matured into the weight. He used to fight at 122 and now at 130 he’s getting a lot more comfortable. He doesn’t have too much trouble making the weight, maybe just a little in that he has to miss a meal but he’s really strong. He’s going into the ring at 140lbs now so I think he’s much bigger and stronger now and a better fighter than he was when he fought Barrera the first time. I don’t think there’s any 130lb fighter in the world that can deal with him right now.
FF: Rumor has it Manny will return to action April 28th in China. Is that accurate?
FR: Yea I hear Arum will announce this week that he’ll fight In Jin Chi in Macau. Chi is a tall fighter, a little bit taller than Morales, and he’s a bit of a dirty fighter. I talked to Morales about him recently and he told me to watch for his head and elbows. He’s moving up from featherweight and while he’s not necessarily a well know name over here in America, he’s a tough fight and someone we’ll have to train really hard for.
FF: Was that recently you spoke to Morales?
FR: Yea I saw him a few weeks ago.
FF: Are you guys cool with each other now? I know there was that war of words between the two of you that was blown out of proportion in the media…
FR: Yea we’re fine. You know there was a big fighting coming up and we talked with each other. I respect him as a fighter, he’s a great fighter and I wish him well.
FF: It looks like Barrera will be fighting J M Marquez, who do you like in that fight?
FR: Obviously I’d like to see Barrera win the fight because that’s who we were looking at fighting next for Pacquiao. You know Arum had promised to deliver Barrera for Pacquiao’s next fight but it didn’t happen. Barrera is a friend of mine. Marquez I know is crafty fighter but he didn’t look so good in his last fight against the Filipino boy. I think it’s a toss up 50/50. Depends on who has the better night. It’s an exciting fight.
*****Stay tuned for the 2nd part of this TWO PART INTERVIEW where Freddie Roach gives his thoughts on James Toney’s most recent fight, Peter Manfredo’s training for the Calzaghe fight, and Israel Vasquez’s preparation for his showdown with Rafael Marquez. Only on FightFan.com!
