Freddie Roach Is Setting Manny Pacquaio Up For The Biggest Loss Of His Career!

It’s no doubt that Freddie Roach is one the best active trainers in the world. It doesn’t hurt to have Manny Pacquaio as your go to fighter either.

In the last few years Freddie Roach has been speaking more publicly about his fight predictions than in previous years, and, for the most part, he has been correct.  He has been a master in choosing the correct opponents for his fighter to exploit. 

Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquaio are set to square of November 13 and I think Roach has been successful in picking the correct style for Manny again. I can’t imagine Margarito being able to contend with Pacquaio's movement and hand speed, but some of Roach’s recent comments may reveal their camp may be a little too confident.

On HBO’s fight promotional show “Face Off “, Freddie tells Margarito to his face he will get knocked out.

Antonio’s response was “what does he see me crippled or something” and Roach replies, “no, but I saw your last two fights.”

In boxing it’s not unusual for opposing sides to make bold statements face to face, but usually it’s the fighters themselves. This time Roach’s fighter was silent which is consistent with his character, while the trainer built the tension. 

I don’t know any other fight that Freddie Roach has been this confident especially since his sole reliance is assuming Margarito has nothing left. Maybe they are expecting Antonio will be drained trying to make the catch weight limit of 151lbs, or if he may truly believe Margarito doesn’t have the same will to win. Either way is could potentially be a dangerous miscalculation.

I must admit his recent showings against Shane Mosely and Roberto Garcia were less than impressive performances, but there is also an underlining that may explain both poor showings.

Shane Mosely’s trainer Naazim Richardson caught Margarito with illegal wraps right before that fight January 2009, and with thoughts of potential punishment it’s no way he could be totally focused during that fight. Although Roberto Garcia is nothing more than a B list fighter is still was fighting a smaller guy who doesn’t have much experience at the Light Middle Weight division. Not to mention Margarito hadn't been in a ring in almost a year could have played into the ring rust. I could be wrong, but I if I’m correct Freddie Roach could be setting his fighter up for a surprise.

Margarito has the deck stacked against him to win a decision so he must beat Pacquaio convincingly, which I doubt he is capable of doing. I do see his size and toughness giving Manny problems early, and if Roach’s over confidence does rub off on Pacquaio he could find his fighter on the canvas. Let’s not forget this was the first man who stood toe to toe with Miguel Cotto and demolished him.  

I’m sure Manny will step in the ring focused as usual ready to fight; I just think any miscalculations will be very dangerous for the Filipino warrior, and so far Roach has made some if he expects to see the same Margarito from the two previous fights.