Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach reunited on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. (Photos by Wendell Alinea).
They met and talked for a few minutes at Pacquiao’s suite in the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
Last time they spoke was right after Pacquiao lost a controversial decision to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia more than a year ago.
Earlier in the day, Pacquiao said that he hoped to be reunited with Roach for his January bout against Adrien Broner.
Pacquiao ended a 16-year association with Roach ahead of his victory over Lucas Matthyse in Kuala Lumpur in July, breaking up one of boxing’s most famous double-acts.
However the 39-year-old raised eyebrows during a press conference in New York on Monday when he said Roach would be back in his corner for his January 19 fight against Broner in Las Vegas.
But then Roach created some doubt, when he spoke Sports Illustrated.
“I still have never directly spoken to Manny (since 2017),” Roach said.
“I’m not going to make a move until Manny calls me. I’ve been like a father to Manny for 15 years. If he can’t call me, there will be no deal.”
Pacquiao said he hoped Roach would work as a “supervisor”, with long-time associate Buboy Fernandez taking a lead role in training.
“I don’t have any problem with Freddie Roach,” Pacquiao said at a media roundtable. “All I say is that I think the other work in training should be assigned or designated to Buboy.
“Freddie can supervise or instruct Buboy, this is what we’re going to do.”
Pacquiao said he plans to divide his training camp into two parts, with the first half taking place in the Philippines and the final part in the United States.
He said Roach would play no part in the Philippines leg of his training camp.
“He can just wait here,” he said. “I’ll be here next month in December.”
Despite the father-son like bond they had shared for over a decade, Pacquiao said he could not remember the last time he spoke to Roach, blaming demands of his role as a Senator in the Philippines for the rupture.
“It’s been a long time ago,” Pacquiao said. “A long time ago that I didn’t speak to Freddie. I was busy in the Philippines.
“I don’t even have time to come to United States for a vacation for relaxation. It’s really busy being a Senator.”
Pacquiao, who turns 40 next month, has not fought in the United States for two years.
- Boxingscene