Pacquiao has Signed (according to Roach)!

[zhubin]

Except that at the time, nobody believed him when he said he would bring them down and peoples saw them as 2 potential lethal threats to Manny. Like it or not, the guy also made the right on point accurate predictions, can't remove it from the guy. As for his record, 3 times trainer of the year (possibly 4 with this year), that's the hell of an achievement, I think now he's up to 16-17 wolds champion trained under his belt, with the like of israel Vasquez, James Toney, Pacquiao, now Khan too. Like it or not, the guy is definitely one of the best today, I've heard even some great trainers like Nacho Besistain stating he was one if not the best of his generation and how much he did learn from Eddie Futch.
One thing to understand as well: Roach tries as much as possible to get fire instead of his boxers. HE knows how much stress can play on someone's mind and he tries to get fire for them. Sometimes these comment can irks but it is to be taken lightly most of the time.

Nameless, with all due respect...plenty of people with good knowledge of the sport knew he was right on in pointing out their weaknesses. I am not discounting his or Pac's accomplishments. But lets not get carried away with the praise. As far as Roach's resume....form what i recall he quit as Vasquez's trainer before the Marquez trilogy...thinking his fighter had nothing left. James Toney! Toney mastered the craft LONG before Roach was his trainer...and Toney didn't exactly set the boxing world on fire under Roach. And Khan...HIGHLY, highly unproven yet. Aside from a physically overmatched, past prime, one eyed (from the cut) Barrera...Khan has not proven himself.

Toney did improve quite good under Roach, the problem is just that he's very lazy but he did some very good progress. Same for Vasquez. It is untrue that Roach wasn't training him during the trilogy, he did train him for 2 of the 3 bouts if I am corect, including the one where Vasquez got his nose broke: http://www.saddoboxing.com/4814-rafa...l-vasquez.html Also, in the meantime, Vasquez went under 3 surgeries for his eyes plus some other for the nose, hence why Roach wanted him to retire (which I think was right, no matter how good Vasquez is and how much I am a fan of El'Magnifico). So Roach did give good advices and never let him down, it's Vasquez who decided to work almost exclusively with a less busier and still good trainer in the person of Rudy Perez.
after 16 world champions under his belt, 3 time awards of trainer of the year (quite a record indeed) and with one of the very most effective stable at the moment, can you tell me how is he so overrated and can you name me one single trainer who's doing any better at the moment?

Roach only trained Vasquez in his first fight against Marquez...the fight Israel lost. In hindsight he obviously underestimated his fighter...no matter how good his intentions. As far as Toney...I really don't see how he "improved" under Roach. Toney grew up and learned the skills in Michigan. He was at his best under trainer Bill Miller when he was a middleweight. If anything, Roach could have shown his mettle as a great trainer by somehow figuring out how to get Toney in great shape...which he obviously didn't. As far as Freddie's overall resume...no doubt...the man is a very good trainer. I just think he, and many others, just think a little too much of himself. Anyways, it's just a point we disagree on. Hopfully he will have Pac ready for a great fight in March.

[Althugz]

One reason I will be pulling for Floyd in this fight is because I detest Freddie Roach. A few years ago he came across as this sympathetic figure battling Parkinson's...but he now just comes across as an egomaniac. I have no idea where the "greatest trainer in the world tag" came from. He has pretty much successfully trained ONE fighter (please don't bring up Khan). Now he thinks he is this zen master who can figure out fighters. Guess what Freddie...the last three fights...you yourself pointed out the GLARING, obvious weaknesses of Manny's opponents before the actual fights. Weather it was Hatton being shot worn and one dimensional, Oscar being well past it and being brought down to 147, or an already mentally broken down fighter who also was brought down to 145 in Cotto. Now...i give PAC props for handling his business....but the Floyd fight isn't being handpicked. The MARKET demands it. So no matter how brave a face Roach is putting on...he knows damn well he has the toughest fight of his career ahead of him and his fighter.

Very well said - I've said it before and I'll say it again...Roach ALWAYS got the pity vote for being a trainer with parkinsons. Compared to somebody like Floyd Sr or even Jr, he gets away with murder sometimes with the shit that spews out of his mouth.

[TheBranMan]

One reason I will be pulling for Floyd in this fight is because I detest Freddie Roach. A few years ago he came across as this sympathetic figure battling Parkinson's...but he now just comes across as an egomaniac. I have no idea where the "greatest trainer in the world tag" came from. He has pretty much successfully trained ONE fighter (please don't bring up Khan). Now he thinks he is this zen master who can figure out fighters. Guess what Freddie...the last three fights...you yourself pointed out the GLARING, obvious weaknesses of Manny's opponents before the actual fights. Weather it was Hatton being shot worn and one dimensional, Oscar being well past it and being brought down to 147, or an already mentally broken down fighter who also was brought down to 145 in Cotto. Now...i give PAC props for handling his business....but the Floyd fight isn't being handpicked. The MARKET demands it. So no matter how brave a face Roach is putting on...he knows damn well he has the toughest fight of his career ahead of him and his fighter.

Very well said - I've said it before and I'll say it again...Roach ALWAYS got the pity vote for being a trainer with parkinsons. Compared to somebody like Floyd Sr or even Jr, he gets away with murder sometimes with the shit that spews out of his mouth.

Agreed. Not suggesting that Floyd Sr is a prophet by any means though.

As far as abilities go: Could Pac have made it to where he is today without Roach (assuming he had another top trainer)? Most definitely. Would Roach be running his mouth claiming to be the world's best trainer if it wasn't for Pacquiao? Not a chance in hell. Roach is a good trainer, but he's still an ego-maniac who overrates himself a thousand times over.