Khan might as well be back with Roach

roach45By Scott Gilfoid: In looking at Amir Khan’s recent fight with Carlos Molina one thing that jumps out at you is how little Khan has really changed from his previous fights under trainer Freddie Roach. Other than Khan looking more mechanical, and less intelligent in the ring, I think there was absolutely no improvement in his game whatsoever. If anything, Khan looks worse off under the guidance of his new trainer Virgil Hunter, because if this supposed to be an improvement in his game than he’s not getting a good deal.

I think Khan would be much better off at the Wildcard gym where he can get more attention from LA crowd, first rate sparring at all times, and fight strategy that is more attuned to his own style. Hunter is not going to be able to make enough of an improvement to keep Khan from getting knocked out like he would with any other trainer. It’s not possible.

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Roach needs one of his fighters to end his losing streak

roach9By Chris Williams: Trainer Freddie Roach is perhaps going through one of the roughest periods in his career as a trainer right now with his major stars all losing one after another and some of the choosing to leave him following losses. Manny Pacquiao, Roach’s number #1 fighter, has lost his last two fights, Amir Khan lost two fights and then canned Roach, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. lost his last fight and there’s talk that he’ll be dumping Roach too and going with Nacho Beristain as his new trainer.

It’s unclear what’s happened to Roach because his top guys are getting beaten and blowing town on him. You can’t just say it’s because they’re getting old. Chavez Jr. and Khan are both in their mid-20s. Maybe it’s just bad luck for Roach, but whatever is he really needs Pacquiao to end the losing streak in his next fight whenever that is.

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Chavez Jr. to return in May without Roach

chavez9223By Allan Fox: Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) will be returning to the ring in May 2013 and will be facing a still to be determined opponent, according to Doghouseboxing.com. The real news here is that Chavez Jr. has reportedly replaced his trainer Freddie Roach with Nacho Beristain.

Chavez Jr. has a hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission about his positive marijuana test. Whatever suspension that Chavez Jr. received by them it’ll be retroactive with much of it already having been served out by Chavez Jr. since his loss to Sergio Martinez last September. However, the suspension reportedly doesn’t hold if Chavez Jr. decides to fight in Mexico.

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Chavez Jr. to dump Roach for Beristain?

beristain3By Dan Ambrose: Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) may be the next big name fighter that jumps ship and dumps trainer Freddie Roach, according to fightnews.com A source has revealed that Chavez Jr. could possibly end up with trainer Nacho Beristain if Roach is dumped.

Beristain is the trainer that made a world champion out of Juan Manuel Marquez. Beristain has trained countless top fighters over the years, such as Ricardo Lopez, Abner Mares, Jhonny Gonzalez, Oscar De La Hoya, Jorge Arce, and many more.

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Roach: Khan can’t change his fighting style; he’ll be like he always is

roach43By William Mackay: Amir Khan’s former trainer Freddie Roach doesn’t see Khan being able to change his aggressive fighting style, and he questions whether that would even be a smart thing for him to try to do at this point in his career.

Roach believes that Khan will only put himself in danger if he fights in a conservative manner by standing in the pocket more like his new trainer Virgil Hunter wants him to do, and he doesn’t see Khan being able to turn into a counter puncher all of a sudden because that’s not something that’s easily done. Roach believes Khan is better off staying the aggressive fighter he’s always been, but being a little more cautious instead of looking to throw so many flurries.

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Roach wants Pacquiao to rest until September 2013 to recover from KO

Image: Roach wants Pacquiao to rest until September 2013 to recover from KOBy Chris Williams: Trainer Freddie Roach doesn’t want Manny Pacquiao to get back in the ring in April like his promoter Bob Arum has already planned for him to fight. Roach thinks that’s way too soon after Pacquiao’s knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Roach thinks Pacquiao needs a lot more time to recover from the effects of the knockout, and he prefers that he not fight until September 2013.

Roach said to Philstar.com “April or May is way too soon…you get hit with a shot like that and maybe you had a concussion. I wouldn’t be thinking of a fight until maybe September. That’s my idea of the soonest.”

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Freddie Roach- Is he as good as we think?

Image: Freddie Roach- Is he as good as we think?By Paul Walsh: Two years ago Freddie Roach and the wildcard gym would have had the phone ringing off the hook and the offers flying in.  With three world champions in the stable, it was the place every fighter wanted to be.

Fast forward the clock to today and the outlook is bleak for Roach.  Saturday night at the MGM was the culmination of what has been a simply dreadful year for Roach and the wildcard gym.  Having seen all of his champions beaten and one moved on to up and coming trainer Virgil Hunter, you cannot help but question Roach’s methods and tactics as a trainer.

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A focus on Freddie Roach

Image: A focus on Freddie Roachby Joss Gooseman

Respect to the Coach
With the recent brutal 6th round KO loss of Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO’s) to Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KO’s) last Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, there is widespread talk of his retirement. That Pacquiao is past his prime, that he is not what he used to be. That he may have lost his hunger and focus on the game. That may as well be, but should we not also focus on Freddie Roach? Don’t get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for Mr. Roach. He contributed a lot to the sports of boxing. He is even making the ultimate sacrifice in continuing his job the best way he could in spite of of his illness.

That when most people might just have given up and led a peaceful life, enjoying the fruits of their years of labor, Freddie continues to battle with the disease everyday just to be able to train his fighters and give us fights we all undeniably enjoy. But the nagging question remain – does his illness somehow diminishes his capacity as a boxing trainer? Instead of or with Manny Pacquiao, should Freddie Roach retire?

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Roach: I thought Pacquiao was about to finish Marquez off

Image: Roach: I thought Pacquiao was about to finish Marquez offBy Eric Thomas: Trainer Freddie Roach was taken by surprise by his fighter Manny Pacquiao’s knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last Saturday night. Roach for some reason thought the fight was in the bag and he felt that Pacquiao was on the verge of scoring a knockout in the 6th when he got clipped by a right hand. Marquez was bleeding from a cut on the bridge of his nose, which appeared to be broken.

Roach said at the post-fight press conference “I was going to tell him [Pacquiao] to get back to boxing and sharpshooting the guy. I thought the fight was about over. I didn’t think it was going to last that much longer on our side.”

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Should Freddie Roach call it a day?

Image: Should Freddie Roach call it a day?By Mark Calooke: 5 time trainer of the year, Freddie Roach has long been regarded as the best trainer in the world. His gym is world famous and boxers from different counties travel miles to spent their camps there. If you think of all of the champions Roach has had its clear that he has been a huge success. But as a coach he is far from perfect.

Roach has had a dismal year. Back to back loses have left many doubting his ability. The 24/7 series aired to promote Pacquiao vs Marquez was very telling. Freddie admitted that he has been doubting himself and suffering from lack of sleep because of this. I’m not saying he isn’t a good trainer. I have so much respect for him but always feel sorry for him. His Parkinson’s has progressed and this may or may not be a contributor.

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