MANILA, Philippines – When Manny Pacquiao formally opens training camp for his upcoming fight with Lucas Matthyse, someone other than Freddie Roach will be the lead supervisor.
Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s childhood friend and longtime assistant trainer, will man the corner this time when the Filipino icon tries to take Matthysse’s WBA welterweight title on July 14 (July 15 Manila time) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz on Tuesday confirmed Fernandez’s appointment as chief trainer.
“That’s Manny’s choice,” Koncz told Philstar.com in a text message.
It has long been rumored that things have gone sour between Pacquiao and Roach, who has guided the Filipino icon to multiple world titles across several weight divisions.
Roach’s handling of Pacquiao’s corner in the Jeff Horn fight last year in Brisbane, Australia, reportedly strained the relationship. Pacquiao’s camp was reportedly disappointed with Roach not asserting himself and confronting the referee about Horn’s rough tactics during the 12-round bout, which resulted in a loss for Pacquiao.
Now Fernandez, who has long acted as Roach’s assistant when Pacquiao trains, will step into the lead role.
“I believe he (Pacquiao) will give Buboy the chance to prove himself after all these years,” said Koncz.
This will mark the first time in 17 years that Pacquiao will fight without Roach in his corner. The two started their partnership in 2001 when Pacquiao made his US debut against Lehlo Ledwaba as a last-minute substitute.
Pacquiao was then a walk-in at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Los Angeles, immediately impressing the bespectacled trainer when they worked the mitts.
Pacquiao would later become an eight-division champion under Roach’s guidance, while Roach would win multiple Trainer of the Year accolades primarily for his work on the Filipino.
Those glory days are long gone, and now it’s time for Fernandez to step up.