Thread: Freddie Roach..bitter, stupid or genuinely concerned?

It seems common for Freddie that any time he stops training with a fighter to say he's worried about their health and that they are putting themselves at great risk taking their next fight.

When Israel Vazquez ditched him he said that he shouldn't take the Marquez fight rematch (2nd fight) because his nose was fucked, he couldn't breathe and clearly wasn't ready. He said he was worried Vazquez would get seriously hurt.

Vazquez went on to knock Marquez out.

After Bernard went back to Naseem Richardson following the Calzaghe fight he made a big deal of the fact that Hopkins kept going to the wrong corner and looked old and he should retire, and B Hop goes on to give arguably his greatest performance ever.

I know when he split with James Toney he said Toney had a problem with his pituitary gland and should retrie becuase he was punchy....

So what is it? Is it sour grapes? Is it genuine concern? Is he actually saying this to hype the fights, a kind of secret game they all play to make us think the star is washed up?

All I know is that from now on, the next time Freddie says an ex fighter of his is done and washed up I'm putting some money on him to win big in his next fight

I think much of it is due to him having Parkinsons Disease, which may be the result of taking one fight too many. It is purely out of concern with him I believe.

I don't know whether he's genuinely concerned or not, but that Hopkins walking to the wrong corner stuff was interesting. Who would have notcied that if Roach hadn't pointed it out. It did sort of highlight a geriatric that has lost the plot

But I agree. It really just means whenever a top trainer, or anyone involved advises anything - do the opposite.

I think it is concern, EG- He said Vazquez was not ready not that he should retire and live in a padded room for his health...

Boxing can be a shady dirty business....It is not often you find anyone who cares about the fighters other then "When can I earn another paycheck off him"

Maybe Freddie does not want something on his conscience that could have avoided if he was a bit more outspoken on his feelings of the situation.....

Originally Posted by Fenster

I don't know whether he's genuinely concerned or not, but that Hopkins walking to the wrong corner stuff was interesting. Who would have notcied that if Roach hadn't pointed it out. It did sort of highlight a geriatric that has lost the plot

But I agree. It really just means whenever a top trainer, or anyone involved advises anything - do the opposite.

In all seriousness I think this could make for a great new betting strategy. I notice Manny Steward is almost always wrong as well.

From now before a big fight I'll check out for their opinions and use that as my anti-form guide.

I think Freddie just doesn't want people thinking his training is making fighters fight poorly.

Freddies just genuinely concerned.
Freddie cares for people.

Bilbo here's 3 questions for you.

Explain to me why/what does Freddie have to be stupid/bitter?
What would make him stupid?
What does he have to be bitter about?

What the hell? I make an alternate account one day so I could look up some threads without finding my password on my other computer and you all delete my threads


Manfredo/B Class/POB sucks was a good name.....

I also think he was genuinely concerned. I had no clue Bernard was walking into the wrong corner, MULTIPLE TIMES mind you! Also, take into effect the background that comes with Pavlik. He's knocking everyone out! If i were B-Hop's trainer, I would also be concerned about taking that type of fight.

I guess B-Hop was right at the countdown special when talking about the incident of the wrong corners, "it happens." And he could not have proved any of his statements much clearer than the performance he gave...

Ya NEVER know but the way HOP speaks of his relationship with Roach it must be concern.
If you really read what Roach said was,
1) He didn't know why HOP didn't commit to his punches with Calzaghe. That if he had, he would have hurt Calzaghe because Hopkins punches very hard.

2) He didn't know why Hopkins fought Calzaghe with his back to the ropes. If Hopkins kept the fight in the center of the ring, he would have hurt Calzaghe and won, possibly by TKO.

3) He was worried about Hopkins going to the wrong corner.

Now, personally, I think Roach actually pretty much told everyone exactly what Hopkins was going to do in the Pavlic fight.
In the fight, Hopkins surprised everyone and did items 1 & 2 above, just as Roach said he should.
Item #3 could have very well been leaked to the press to make Kelly think that Hopkins was indeed, old.

Larry Merchant asked Kelly after the fight, how is it he couldn't beat that OLD Guy?

Pavlik looked at Merchant and in shock responded, "I don't know, but he sure didn't fight like no old guy."

Roach is very close with his fighters and he shows this with his not wanting them to take dangerous fights. I think him suffering Parkinson's due to fighting on too long is one of the major causes of this. He is a good trainer and deserves respect.

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Freddies just genuinely concerned.
Freddie cares for people.

Bilbo here's 3 questions for you.

Explain to me why/what does Freddie have to be stupid/bitter?
What would make him stupid?
What does he have to be bitter about?

Still waiting Bilbo....

I think he is genuinley concerned! He doesn't want to see people he has got close to in the gym end up with a serious illness like his own.