Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) and his coach Freddie Roach on Sunday are reportedly no longer a team. The 39-year-old Filipino will return to the training camp for the first time without his current coach Roach.
According to report, Pacquiao has decided that Restituo Fernandez and Raids Neri, will now be his new coaches for his secondary welterweight world titlist Lucas Matthysse (39-4-0, 36 KOs) on July 14, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Contrary to statements which I personally did not make that are circulating in the media, I have not made my final decision who will be my coach for my July 14 fight with Matthysse,” Pacquaio said to media.
“My advisor Mike Koncz has been in contract with Freddie’s people to keep them informed. I will make a final decision within the week. Freddie will be the first one to be informed and then I will talk the media.” Pacquiao added.
For some time, people affiliated with boxing have been waiting for confirmation of the news. It remains however that Roach was distraught because Pacquiao did not inform him of this decision in person that their long partnership has now come to an end.
“It would be a lie on my part, if I do not admit that I am affected because he did not contact me in person to tell me of his decision, but all the good times we had together far outshine the disappointment,” Roach said.
“Manny had a very beautiful course for fifteen years. So long marriages are something rare in boxing. I would not change any of these moments. I wish Manny nothing but the best of luck, as much in a boxing ring as in his political ring.” Roach added.
Lucas Matthysse vs Manny Pacquiao official fight for July 14, in Kuala Lumpur. (Source:www.youtube.com)
Roach has been in the corner of Pacquiao since the Filipino boxer made his debut in the US in 2001. Since that time, he has teamed up with Pacquiao in more than 30 fights, and he has played a key role in the fact that his boxer has won so many world titles.
Roach is the one who led Pacquiao to a duel with Floyd Mayweather in 2015. The duel smashed all the pay-per-view (PPV) records.
Thanks to him, Pacquiao, who was a limited boxer but with great potential, has become one of the best boxers of his generation.
