LOS ANGELES—Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has an idea who will
make up the list of Manny Pacquiao’s sparring partners for the Adrien
Broner title defense in January 2019.
Roach, who was recently rehired to help as a training supervisor, did
not name the Broner clone he believes will lend a hand to help
Pacquiao get ready for the brash American challenger.
“I’m working on that right now. (But) No one definite yet,” said Roach
on Wednesday when he accompanied British heavyweight title challenger
Tyson Fury during a press conference at Westin Bonaventure.
Roach will call the shots in Fury’s corner this Saturday against US
champion Deontay Wilder at Staples Center and this early, he is making
sure the start of the second half of Pacquiao’s training will proceed
without a hitch.
Even Fury, who has been working out at the Wild Card Boxing Club in
Hollywood, acknowledges the fact that he is paying homage to one of
boxing’s most hallowed training halls.
“(This is) Manny’s place,” Roach said quoting the 6-9 Fury.
However, it could not be determined if Roach and another key figure in
Pacquiao’s camp are thinking of the same guys to be used as sparmates.
Justin Fortune, the Australian conditioning coach, had also bared the
recruitment of a pair of “Broner look-a-likes.”
Pacquiao has kicked off the four-week buildup in the Philippines for
the Broner battle set at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
But he won’t be arriving here until Dec. 22.
It’ll be interesting to know if Roach and Fortune are both on the same page. (Nick Giongco)
