The Nostradamus of Boxing? - Interview with Freddie Roach (Plus Roach's Top 10 Pound for Pound)

The Nostradamus of Boxing? - Interview with Freddie Roach (Plus Roach's Top 10 Pound for Pound)

Interview by David Tyler, Doghouse Boxing (July 27, 2009)

Boxing trainer Freddie Roach has already established himself as THE boxing trainer of his generation. Sandwiched between Virgil Hill and Manny Pacquiao have been over 33 world champions trained by Freddie. His latest protégé, Amir Khan, was recently crowned the WBA light welterweight champion of the world. Why Freddie Roach has not been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY, is one of the great mysteries of boxing.

Freddie may be clairvoyant as he has successfully predicted the winner and outcome of every important fight in the last two years. We’ll test Freddie with his analysis of seven important fights due this year. As a bonus, Freddie provides us his list of top ten “pound for pound” fighters. Look for this list at the end of this article.

David T. – Freddie let’s take a look at the super middleweight elimination bouts sponsored by Showtime. Start with Carl Froch vs. Andre Dirrell.

Freddie Roach – You would give me the tough one first. Froch is a strong puncher with a solid chin. Dirrell is a southpaw with great boxing skills. Prediction: Froch in a very, very, close fight.

DT- Mikkel Kessler vs. Andre Ward

FR- Kessler by decision. Ward has boxing skills but not enough power to present a problem for Kessler.

DT – King Arthur Abraham vs. Jermaine Taylor

FR – Middle round Kayo by Abraham.

DT – Amir Khan vs. Dmitriy Salita

FR – Khan with an easy victory by Kayo. I am constantly being asked if Amir Khan is the next pound for pound champ. My answer is maybe in six years. Amir will be sparring with Manny during training camp. He has a great future in this sport if he stays focused. I am pushing hard for this fight to be on the undercard of the Pacquiao/ Cotto fight. Fight fans deserve better undercards on the pay for view fights.

DT – Kermit Cintron vs. Shane Mosley

FR – Cintron has struggled a bit lately and Shane is full of confidence after his impressive win over Antonio Margarito. Shane should win this one by a knockout.

DT – Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

FR – Great fight. I’m just worried about Marquez going up so much in weight, the fight is at 147 lbs. At 135 Marquez was behind in the 6th round of the Diaz fight. He eventually won but now he is moving up two divisions from that weight. It’s going to be difficult for him to do but if anyone is capable it is Marquez because he is a very clever, clever fighter. Marquez is basically a counter puncher but has been more aggressive in recent fights. I’m not quite sure that his style will beat Mayweather. I’m taking Mayweather by a decision.

DT – Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto

FR – I am aware that many fight fans believe that Manny will beat Cotto the same way he handled Ricky Hatton. I am sure that Manny will win but I need to study more video of Cotto. Of course I have seen the Margarito fight and the Clottey fight but I need to see the fights where he was at his best. This is the only way that I can study his strengths as well as his weaknesses. In a couple of weeks I will be able to tell Manny how to beat Cotto and he will work on this strategy in the gym.

DT – With the many, many, weight divisions and the 100’s of sanctioning associations, many fans look to the “Pound for Pound” list for the top fighters. Fans would love to read the Freddie Roach list of top 10 fighters.

FR – Keep the tape running because I might have to make some changes as we go along:

1.Manny Pacquiao – Who else? I have been preaching this for the last three years.

2.Floyd Mayweather Jr. – He gave us the title but he should be the second best. The Marquez fight will dictate whether he stays there or not.

3.Juan Manuel Marquez – What can I say? One tough hombre and will hold his own against Mayweather.

4.Edwin Valerio – Some will question this pick but he has something like 25 victories by Kayo without a loss.

5.Shane Mosley – His big victory over Margarito moves him up the list.

6.Arthur Abraham – A really tough puncher with quick hands and a concrete chin.

7.Mikkel Kessler – Only loss to former pound for pound champ, Joe Calzaghe. He should wind up fighting Abraham for the Super Middleweight title.

8.Andre Ward – Great boxing skills and looked very impressive against Edison Miranda.

9.Israel Vasquez – You got to love his heart. Truly a champion as he proved in his fights against Marquez.

10. Amir Khan – I know that some will question Amir on the top ten list. Trust me, he is the real deal!

We thank Freddie Roach for his insight into some of the top boxers in the business today. Keep checking Doghouse Boxing daily as my next article will be Freddie in a lengthy discussion about a possible Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao fight in early 2010.

Please send all coments, questions and feedback to David Tyler
E-mail David now at: dtyler53@cox.net

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