Roach talks Benavidez Jr., Pacquiao fight, Khan-Maidana
Just a week before Freddie Roach leaves for Baguio City in the Philippines to join Manny Pacquiao’s training camp, reporters caught up with him to speak about recent going-ons. Roach was in the middle
of a session with upcoming prospect Jose Benavidez Jr., for whom he has big plans.
Benavidez recently improved his record to 8-0 (8 KOs) with a calculating stoppage of journeyman Manuel Delcid. At only 18, Benavidez, who already trains with Vanes Martirosyan and Manny Pacquiao, is the
kid to watch for Roach.
“He’s the best prospect in the world,” Roach said to boxingscene.com. “He’s only 18 years old so we have to make sure that we take our time with him and that we don’t rush him. He’s going to be something
special in the future I feel.”
Roach confirmed that most of his planning is currently centered on seven-division titlist Pacquiao, who is looking to sweep the floor with Antonio Margarito on 13 November. The two will face off at Cowboys
Stadium in Dallas, Texas, where 70,000 maniacal fans are expected to attend.
On the matchup, Roach characteristically shared his thoughts. “I’ve just been getting the right sparring partners and working on that right now,” he said. “I guess I have the right guys now and I don’t
see it being a hard fight. We’re too fast for him and I think we’ll knock Margarito out.”
Pacquiao is the favourite is expected to beat Margarito, despite Margarito's height advantage and iron chin.
One rumour that’s been flying around is that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would be one of Pacman’s sparring partners. The 24-year-old has been working with Roach since April. Roach confirmed that Chavez wouldn’t
be coming to the Philippines. Instead it’s “going to be Rashad, Vanes, and a guy called Tapia.”
Finally Roach reacted to the banter involving his fighter, Amir Khan, and Marcos Maidana. The two have been trying to work out terms to a fight, with both sides becoming increasingly irksome and dramatic.
Roach said: “I’ve only heard rumors and read things on the internet but to me it’s all [expletive]. Who knows. Twitter and all those stupid games where they are shouting at one another. I mean, get a life.”
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