Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach seem inseparable after almost a decade of enduring professional relationship. Pacquiao will see action on November 14 against Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight crown
'Inseparable, that's how he'll always be Inseparable, just you and me its so wonderful To know you'll always be around me'.
So goes the lyrics in a song title Inseparable made popular by song artist Natalie Cole. The song best describes the trainer-boxer professional relationship of Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao.
The father and son relationship between the two popular sports figures dates back eight years ago when Manny Pacquiao barged into Wild Card Gym to train for his fight with African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba as a last minute substitute opponent. The Filipino boxer won after brief coaching by Freddie Roach.
The first win of Pacquiao under Roach guidance marked the beginning of a long business and professional relationship. After the convincing win by Pacquiao against Ledwaba, Roach started to concentrate on the Filipino boxer's weak points while continuing to develop the areas where the fighter excelled. Roach knew that Pacquiao's left hand is exceptionally strong. He wasted no time in enhancing Pacquiao's formidable left hand by developing techniques that would complement its strength and power.
Roach biggest achievement in guiding Pacquiao's career is his skillful transformation of Pacquiao's right hand from a weakling to a powerful working tool that complemented Pacquiao's formidable left hand. Boxing critics say that Roach was particularly successful in this transformation after long years of constant practice.
A few years after Roach able stewardship, Pacquiao conquered the boxing world with his victories over the world's greatest boxers including Erick Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya, Barrera and Ricky Hatton, among others.
These victories have made this 'father and son' team multi millionaires and recipient of top sports awards from prestigious award-giving bodies.
On many occasions, their 'father and son' relationship had been subjected to a series of tests and each time, the tandem would stand united and become even more stronger.
New York Times reports:
Pacquiao, 30, viewed his trainer as a second father, even with the boundaries. Where he playfully spat water on other members of his team, or slapped them from behind, he never ventured there with Roach. Whenever Alex Ariza, his conditioning coach, tried to put new methods in place, Pacquiao always asked, “What does Freddie think?”
Critics say that the secret to their 'blooming relationship' is the respect that each one of them show as boxer and trainer. People around them and even the intrusive press have tried to test their relationship by sowing intrigues and malice in their enduring partnership but each time, they will emerge stronger and more closer to each other like father and son.
Geg Bishop of New York Times says: ”Inside the ring, they remain inseparable, but less father and son, more peers bonded by mutual respect. Outside, they must confront endless politics, the complex web of advisers and employees required for Pacquiao to make movies, records and boxing history.
“It’s magic,” said the promoter Bob Arum, the chairman of Top Rank Boxing. “Made in heaven. They’re so in tune with each other, it’s like watching a ballet.”, Bishop added.
Inseparable? They look like they are...for now.
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will face his opponent Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on November 14 at the MGM Grand garden arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao is aiming for his seventh win in seven different weight classes to become the first boxer in history to attain such world record.
Also at stake is Miguel Cotto's WBO welterweight crown.
The fight will be televised worldwide and is available on pay-per-view.
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