Freddie Roach: Manny Pacquiao can beat Bernard Hopkins
Legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach has responded to controversial comments made by equally legendary fighter Bernard Hopkins.
Thursday Hopkins questioned why Roach’s fighter Manny Pacquiao had never faced a “top black fighter,” and said that if he did he would lose due to the fighting style posed by the race.
In a Fanhouse article, he said: “I do think that a fighter like the Ray Leonard or anyone like that would beat a guy [like Pacquiao] if they come with their game. Listen, this ain't a racial thing, but then again, maybe it is. But the style that is embedded
in most of us black fighters, that style could be a problem to any other style of fighting."
No less than head Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum took issue with the claims, stating that Pacquiao had never avoided opponents based on race. Koncz added that opponents for Pacquiao at this point in his career were chosen
purely on economic grounds.
After hearing about the discussion Roach tuned in and dismissed Hopkins’s claims. “After his last fight [against Roy Jones Jr.] he should just shut up,” Roach said to philboxing.com. “In fact, Manny can beat him.”
Pacquiao is coming off a spectacular tactic win over the beefier Antonio Margarito last weekend in Arlington, Texas. He managed to avoid “The Tijuana Tornado” for the majority of the fight and land punches at will, showcasing his superior technique and
setting the bar for professional boxing.
Due to the win Ring Magazine, considered the “Bible of Boxing,” ranked Pacquiao No.1 welterweight in the world, a title previously held by Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather was bumped to No.2 welterweight.
The move mirrors a larger trend whereby Pacquiao, due to his efforts and accomplishments, has dwarfed Mayweather in the boxing community as the most dominant fighter in the sport today.
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