Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Freddie Roach has overseen Manny Pacquiao's remarkable rise
We look at the Wild Card supremo and the success he has brought
Tuesday 28 April 2015 17:43, UK
Freddie Roach has moulded Manny Pacquiao into one of the biggest stars of his generation during a hugely successful 14-year partnership.
Not much was known about the Filipino when he first arrived in Los Angeles back in 2001, searching for the fame and glory that could be found in the United States.
Pacquiao had built up a patchy record against little-known foes, including two worrying stoppage defeats, but Roach would transform him into a wrecking machine during sweltering training sessions at his Wild Card gym.
A former fighter himself, the 55-year-old learned the sport the hard way, and had suffered 13 defeats by the time he hung up his gloves after a 53rd fight in 1986.
The damaging ring career has taken its toll on Roach, who has battled the onset of Parkinson's disease during his time as a trainer.
But the grizzled cornerman maintains a busy schedule in his LA training base and has retained his hard-nosed attitude towards the sport.
Starting his ascent as a super-bantamweight, Pacquiao was quickly pitched into a sink-or-swim encounter against IBF champion Lehlo Ledwaba.
He was capable of so much more – and I had to bring it out of him.
Roach watched on while his new pupil pounded the South African to a halt in the sixth round and the pair would plot a destructive path through the weight divisions.
After a breakout win over Marco Antonio Barrera, they endured their first difficult spell in 2004-05, as a draw with Juan Manuel Marquez was followed by a points defeat against Erik Morales.
Stung by these setbacks, Roach worked diligently to improve Pacquaio's southpaw technique over the next few years.
Speaking to Yahoo Sports, he said: "I watched the tape of his fight with Marquez and he dropped Marquez three times in the first round. But he never threw a right hand the whole time.
"At the time, I was satisfied with what Manny had become, but I realised it was a mistake. He was capable of so much more - and I had to bring it out of him."
A polished version of Pacquaio would emerge, complete with two-fisted attacks, tactical awareness and fleet-footed movement.
Pac-Man was an irresistible force and he avenged the defeat against Morales and the draw with Marquez, before toppling big names such as Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto on his march through the weight divisions.
Plaudits were heaped on the duo and the elusive fight with Floyd Mayweather appeared the only true test, but Roach and Pacquiao slipped from the sport’s summit within a six-month spell in 2012.
A hugely controversial points loss to Timothy Bradley was followed by a far more shocking defeat, with Marquez dishing out a devastating knockout in their fourth meeting.
Pacquaio, the multi-weight king, suddenly seemed vulnerable and genuine concerns were raised about his future in the sport.
But Roach offered a typically blunt assessment, saying: "He just walked into a perfect shot."
Pacquiao would return just under a year later with a measured points win over Brandon Rios, while he was equally disciplined in a revenge decision victory over Bradley.
Roach was not about to ditch his aggressive ethos and Chris Algieri, Pacquiao's last opponent, was floored six times in a whirlwind of punches.
This impressive repair job came with the highest reward as a long-awaited meeting with Mayweather will finally take place on May 2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Back within the ropes of his famed training base, Roach will be plotting the end of the American's 47-fight unbeaten record, offering calm advice to his protege.
"I like challenges and this is the biggest challenge of my life," he said. "It's finally here, it's finally in front of me - and I've been looking forward to this for a long time."
Book Mayweather v Pacquiao, Sky Sports Box Office, May 2, via your Sky remote, phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote. skysports.com/maypac
