Freddie Roach Talks About Training MMA Greats Such as Anderson Silva

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

On Friday October 30 I had the honor of interviewing the legendary hall of famer boxing trainer Freddie Roach who was deep in training camp for the sport of boxing's No. 1 pound for pound fighter Manny Pacquiao for his up coming super mega fight with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto this Saturday.

For those of you who may not know Freddie Roach also trains a number of MMA's biggest names as well. Greats such as Arlovski, BJ Penn, and even one of UFC's top pound for pound champions Anderson Silva.

I asked Freddie Roach his thoughts and experiences training Silva and asked if he felt Roy Jones Jr and Silva would actually fight and what he thought the out come must be.

The video version of the interview has already gained much popularity on YouTube. To view my now legendary interview with the legendary Freddie Roach click here:

New Exclusive Interview with Team Pacquiao

The following is a transcription of the MMA portion of questions asked:

King J:  A quick question about MMA. You do train a couple of MMA fighters. With the ever growing popularity of MMA do you see yourself taking on more MMA fighters to train?

FR: Anyone that I can help be a better fighter I will. I can not teach them anything but boxing that’s all I know. That’s all I can teach them. The stand up part of MMA I like a lot I think its action packed, but when they get on the ground and wrestle…I’m not such a fan of. I know there’s a science to it. Two guys wrestling on the floor…naw.

KJ: Andre Arlovski you trained him. Obviously you train him just on the boxing side.

FR: (A big grin on Freddie’s Face) Andre Arlovski, Anderson Silva, Penn, I just teach and train them how to fight stand up that’s all I really know and that’s the most exciting part of MMA, stand up.

KJ: Right, absolutely I agree with you. Do you think Silva and Roy Jones will actually fight and if they do?

FR: I hope so. Anderson Silva he comes into my gym and he sparred with my guys a couple of times. He’s really not a gym fighter. He gives you about 40 percent but when he really wants to turn it on he can fight. I think he has a shot. Roy Jones might be a little too much for him but I like to see it.

KJ: Is there any final words you like to say to your fans? Like I said I don’t know if you know but you do have a lot of fans out there.

FR: Thanks for all of the support. Thanks for treating me so well in the Philippines. You are the greatest. I love the Philippines and I plan to retire there.

KJ: Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. God Bless.

FR: No problem.

To read the full complete interview:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/283365-roach-predicts-manny-pacquiao-to-win-by-knock-out-in-round-1-9-10/show_full

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?