Pacquiao reflects on special bond with Roach

MANILA, Philippines – They form arguably one of the greatest boxer-trainer tandems in history.

Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach have been together for about 13 years now, their remarkable relationship producing storied careers for both of them. Under Roach’s guidance, Pacquiao has won a record eight world titles in as many divisions.

Pacquiao is a surefire bet to enter the boxing Hall of Fame once he decides to retire, thanks in large part to Roach.

Roach, for his part, has seen his career as a trainer flourish, being named Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America for a record six times and becoming one of the most highly sought-after trainers today.

In a training blog released by Top Rank to hype his rematch with Timothy Bradley on Sunday, Pacquiao delved into his relationship with Roach, which he said isn’t confined within the boxing ring.

“Freddie has been a father, a brother and a best friend since the day we met. I cannot overstate his importance to me and how much he has impacted my life. I am a better person for having Freddie in my life,” said Pacquiao, who sometime in 2001 walked into Roach’s Wild Card Gym looking for a trainer to hone him as he makes a name in the US.

Roach asked Pacquiao, then a skinny super bantamweight (122 lbs.), to suit up, and the two worked the mitts for the first time. Roach was astounded by what he saw as he felt Pacquiao’s punching power and speed. The trainer believed he has found a diamond in the rough.

Pacquiao then plunged into action as a late substitute to challenge Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight title in June 2001. A virtual unknown on US soil, Pacquiao knocked out Ledwaba in the sixth round to claim the title and the crowd’s admiration.

It was the first of many world titles for Pacquiao and Roach, whose bond remains solid for more than a decade now.

Pacquiao, ever the humble person and a loyal pupil, says he wouldn’t be where he is now if not for Roach, who considers Pacquiao to be his greatest work.

“We are a team. In the gym I call him ‘Master Freddie’. He is the boss and he is the teacher,” said Pacquiao, who is aiming to reclaim the WBO welterweight title he lost to Bradley two years ago.

Distance, Pacquiao added, is barely a hindrance to his friendship with Roach, who stays at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood while his ward attends to personal matters in the Philippines whenever there’s no fight scheduled.

“And even though we do not spend as much time together as we used to, we will always have a special bond that will remain strong for the rest of our lives,” Pacquiao ended.