Over the weekend, the camp of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao released a statement saying that they have ended their relationship with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
After 16 years and 34 fights, Pacquiao stated that he wanted a change of scenery, which hurt Roach.
“Manny and I had a great run for 15 years — longer than most marriages and certainly a rarity in boxing. I wouldn’t trade any of it,” Roach released in a statement.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t hurt that he didn’t contact me personally about his decision, but the great times we enjoyed together far outweigh that.”
During the first leg of a two-city press tour promoting Pacquiao’s bout against Lucas Matthysse, the 39-year-old fighting senator apparently backpedaled from his initial statement. Boxing’s only eight-division world champion shared that he and his camp are giving his friend Buboy Fernandez a shot at training him for the fight that will happen on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Freddie and I are like family. I didn’t make any decision yet about Freddie Roach,” Pacquiao shared.
“Assuming I make a decision, we want to try and experience training with Buboy Fernandez being the head trainer before I go back with Freddie.”
The pressure, therefore, is on for Fernandez. Still, he is thankful for the opportunity granted to him by his childhood friend.
“Gagampanan ko po ang ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng aking kaibigan.”
