Freddie Roach has had the best – and most significant – seat in the house for some of the biggest nights in boxing.
The 64-year-old from Dedham, Massachusetts had a record of 40 wins and 13 losses during his own fighting career. He first had a taste of coaching as an assistant to Eddie Fitch in 1986. Just shy of a decade later he would establish the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, California.
Of course, Roach’s jewel in the crown at the Wildcard was Manny Pacquiao, whom he worked with for 20 years and still may continue to do so if the Filipino sensation makes good on a comeback. The trainer – regarded as one of the best in the sport – also cornered the likes of Virgil Hill, Michael Moorer, James Toney, Steve Collins, Miguel Cotto and Amir Khan.
He had shorter stints with Mike Tyson – for two of his three final fights – and Oscar De La Hoya for his bout against Floyd Mayweather. Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Roach said that Toney trumped all others in terms of talent.
“Well, Pacquiao I learned a lot from, he’s made me a better trainer because he can do things that not everybody can do. But the most talented, gifted athlete I’ve ever trained is James Toney. He had something you couldn’t teach. He was just a natural.”
Elaborating on the praise in an interview with the Los Angeles Daily News, Roach said:
“Toney is the most natural fighter I’ve ever seen. When he says, ‘All you mother F*****s have to train but I was born to fight,’ he means it. The way he moved, the vision he had, to see everything coming at him, he was just so gifted. He’s getting older now and getting hit more than ever. At his peak, though, he’d sit on the ropes and make you miss a hundred punches and come back with counter shots. It was something to watch.”
In a total of 92 fights, three-weight world champion Toney won 77 times. Of his ten losses, he was never stopped inside the distance. ‘Lights Out’ employed a stellar defence with minimal energy, inviting his opponents on by putting his back on the ropes before employing his shoulder roll and head movement. His sharp counterpunches were they price they paid.
Toney had statement wins over Evander Holyfield, Iran Barkley and Michael Nunn.
