Freddie Roach continues to have faith in his former ward, Manny Pacquiao, even after the two had parted ways. And Roach believes Pacquiao’s no-nonsense work ethic will factor heavily against the younger, hungrier Adrien Broner in January.
Roach said that at one time, the Filipino boxing great “would have walked through all of them (welterweight top dogs of today),” including the 29-year-old Broner.
Showing no tinge of resentment against Pacquiao, who trained under him for 16 years en route to becoming one of the sport’s greatest fighters, Roach said the Broner fight “would be a good challenge” for the 12-time world champion.
Reports peg the fight on either Jan. 12 or 19, either in Las Vegas or Tokyo.
Roach said he knew “there has to be something big at the end of the road,” referring to the projected rematch between Pacquiao and fellow megastar Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“The first fight was not so great, Manny had a bad [shoulder] injury, but that was all part of boxing,” added Roach. “So I would like to see it one more time.”
Going up against Broner, a two-time world champion who has yet to reach his full potential, Pacquiao, Roach said, is still the favorite, if only for his discipline and how hard he prepares for his fights.
“His work ethic is still unbelievable. He works very hard every day. With the work ethic he has, I give him a chance with anyone out there,” added Roach.