Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach said he's open to cancelling the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios if he sees that the Filipino fighter show signs of deterioration during training camp, the multiple Trainer of the Year winner told MaxBoxing interviews.
Known for his condor throughout his career, Roach said he's ready to cancel the fight anytime during training camp if Pacquiao doesn't show the kind of skills he possessed prior to his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.
The five-time Trainer of the Year insisted that he's just trying to protect his fighter, who could head into much more trouble if he goes into the ring unprepared.
"There is a chance that it could happen [cancelling the fight with Rios]." Roach told Radio Rahim of MaxBoxing Interviews. "You never know what could happen. But you know, my main job is to get him ready for fight."
"But more importantly, my job is to protect my fighter and I protect my fighters no matter who they are very well. And the thing is when I see him showing signs in training camp that I don't think he should continue, I would tell him," he added.
Roach also stated that he was given the right by Pacquiao to formally shut down his career when he sees that the former eight-division world champion could no longer pull the trigger.
"We have an agreement that when I tell him [Pacquiao] is over, it's over." Roach told Radio Rahim. "I don't see that coming. But the thing is if it does come, I will protect my fighter first, that's my main job."
Pacquiao is scheduled to return in the ring against hard-hitting former champion Brandon 'Bam Bam' Champion on November 23 at Venetian Macao in Macau, China.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
