By Dave Lahr: Trainer Freddie Roach didn’t have a clue that his fighter Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KO’s) was badly hurt by Antonio Margarito in the 6th round of their fight in November 2010. Margarito, not a big puncher, nailed Pacquiao with two hard left hooks to the body that had Pacquiao clearly hurt and about to drop to the canvas in agony. How Roach could have not seen this is strange given that it was seen by pretty everyone and Roach was right there at the ring apron and should have spotted it.

In an article at the Philippine star, Roach said this about Pacquiao being hurt: “I didn’t ask him [Pacquiao] about it if he was hurt or what. He never complains. I saw him sink a little bit after taking those shots, but he got away easily. Manny did everything we trained for in camp. Did he do anything wrong? Maybe, he should have gotten off the ropes a little more.”

Pacquiao needed to open his yap about being hurt so that Roach could give him some of his wisdom about staying away from Margarito in the following rounds. That seems like a communication issue. If I’m the trainer, I want my fighters to be telling me stuff like when they’re clocked and badly hurt. How else can you expect Roach to give all of his genius if Pacquiao isn’t complaining about being in agony from those beautiful left hooks to the bread basket. Just think what might have happened had Margarito continued to poor in big body shots in the next round with Roach clueless about Pacquiao being hurt earlier. It could have been bad.