Exclusive Interview: Freddie Roach

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8CountNews caught up with famed fight trainer Freddie Roach Monday morning and got his thoughts on the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight. Roach talks about the current press tour currently underway, and also touches on the situation between himself, and Michael Koncz. Roach also informs 8CN that training camp will be split between the Philippines, and Los Angeles, 4 weeks in each country.


8CN – Freddie thanks for joining us.


FR – Thanks for having me.


8CN – I know you have been really busy traveling across the country. How's the press tour going so far?


FR – Yankee stadium was great, a great turn out. Then we went to Puerto Rico, and that was a big production, very well done. Then we flew to San Francisco and watched the Giants play. We did the press conference on top of the dugout after the game. It started raining a little bit, but we got through it. Today we have Los Angeles, tomorrow we have San Diego. I come back to the Wild Card on Saturday, then I fly to the Philippines.


8CN – Is the hype where you want it to be with this press tour so far? What is your feel with this one as opposed to previous press tours?


FR – Yes, the press is really out there, we are going to blow away the Mayweather fight but that's easily done. That's easily done because with us it's two popular fighters that like to fight. It's not two counter punchers that both are better at moving away. The press tour has been very successful. The Filipino fans are great, the Puerto Rican fans are great, it's going to be electric fight night, that's for sure.


8CN – The Cotto camp from what I have observed are classy people, so I am guessing you wont have the negativity to deal with like you do with the Mayweather camp.


FR - Cotto's is a nice guy. When we were at the Giants game it was raining, and I got Manny a jacket. I saw Cotto didn't have one, so I got him one too, he's a nice guy. But come fight night, there will be no nice guys.


8CN – How are things with Michael Koncz and the whole chemistry problem inside of the camp?


FR – The thing is, once I got Manny alone I knew that I could talk to him and work things out. I went to visit him in New York in his hotel room. We talked about training camps, and he told me that he checked out Baguio, and it's 5000 ft above sea level so it's cooler than Manila weather. We will train for 4 weeks there. Me and Manny are like father and son. We have no problem whatsoever, and as soon as we get face to face, we have a lot of respect for each other. We'll go 4 weeks in the Philippines, and 4 weeks in Los Angeles.


8CN – Before we go any further, I want to pass along condolences to you for the passing of your brother. Did Manny not hear about your brother passing away? Was that the case here as to why you didn't hear from him?


FR – No he never heard about it, he asked me what happened. He's a very religious person, so he said that he would pray for my brother. Manny was on the movie set, and some people just don't want us to talk because they want to run the show. Once we got together and talked, everything worked out. The only problem that I have training in the Philippines is the travel. It takes time, it takes 4 or 5 days to adjust with the time change and that's why were going to come back to Los Angeles a month ahead of time. It will take us a week to adjust, so it won't be a problem.


8CN – When will camp officially start in PI?


FR – I will fly out Saturday night, and be there to start on Monday. We will have 8 full weeks just like we have always done. Manny is running right now as we speak, and at the photo shoot yesterday he was about 150lbs. We will bring sparring partners out, and everything will be fine. We are not getting a late start, I just couldn't get a hold of Manny because of some lack of communication, but everything is worked out, and everything is normal.


8CN – Let's move on to the fight. Are you still feeling that this fight will go to the cards?

FR – I have been studying Cotto, and I see some things that we'll take advantage of. Were not going to get into a slugging match with Cotto, we are smarter than that. He's the bigger and stronger guy, and we realize that. My plan is to win every round one at a time. We will exchange when we have the opportunity to, but look he's the welterweight champion of the world. He's been knocked out one time, and that's controversial because of what happened in that fight. Who else knocked him out? You can't count on a knockout with this guy, if it comes, it's a bonus. He's a proud person, only stopped once, and we know why that was.


8CN – Do you believe Manny's speed will be the key?


FR – We have the advantage of the speed, and he has the advantage of the power. The bottom line is how you use that advantage. That's why we go into the gym and work 8 weeks on implementing that strategy. That's why Manny is so good now, he's mature enough to hold to the game plan and not go crazy anymore when he gets hit. Believe me though, when the exchanges happen.....we will be there.


8CN – How's manny's focus right now?


FR – It's great, the press conferences, and the HBO shows are long grinding days, but he's smiling. I let him go play basketball in San Francisco yesterday and he was happy about that (laughing).


8CN – Freddie thank you for spending some time with us here on 8CountNews. Do you have some closing thoughts?


FR – This is a big fight, we'll need the support from all of the fans, all of the Filipino fans. Thank you very much.

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO OF THIS INTERVIEW AS WELL!

Source: http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/1914/2009-09-14.html