Manny Pacquiao: Pac-Man Would Be Crazy to Dismiss Freddie Roach
Manny Pacquiao would be setting himself up for failure if he parted ways with longtime trainer Freddie Roach. Changing trainers can have a huge effect on a fighter, and switching this late in a fighter's career isn't a good idea.
ABS-CBN News hinted that Pac-Man may have to choose between Roach and conditioning coach Alex Ariza. The two members of Pacquiao's camp have been at odds over what Roach and promoter Bob Arum calls unprofessional behavior from Ariza.
Ariza left the Pacquiao camp to be with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as he prepares for his upcoming bout with Andy Lee, per Boxing News 24. This will all be water under the bridge unless Pacquiao loses, as Michael Marley of the Examiner points out, which I believe is a possibility.
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In a loss people will look for someone, or something to blame. If he wins it's just harmless drama. These issues happen and they generally work themselves out, but if things come to a point that requires Manny to chose, he'd be wise to stick with Roach.
As Manny gets older he'll know his own body better than anyone, and this late in his career he shouldn't need a kick in the pants to stay in good shape. Pacquiao's workout regimen is solid and can be duplicated; parting with Ariza would not take that away from him.
On the other side, there is no replacing the knowledge and the chemistry Pacquiao and Roach have built over a decade. Roach has a stellar resume, having won the Futch-Condon Award for trainer of the year five times.
Roach has proven his worth not just to Pacquiao, but in his successful involvement with former champion Amir Khan, WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and others.
Much of Roach's success is due to training an amazing fighter like Pacquiao, but Pac-Man owes a measure of his success to Roach as well. Pacquiao needs him to be at his best.
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