Roach, kinilalang Trainer of the Year

Matapos parangalan si Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao ng ilang US boxing experts, si Freddie Roach naman ang nakatanggap ng rekognisyon kahapon.

Kinilala ng Secondsout.com si Roach bilang 2006 Trainer of the Year matapos na ring igiya sa panalo sina Pacquiao, Mexican Israel Vasquez, Scott Peme-berton, Peter Manfredo, Jr. at Vanes Martirosyan.

"Freddie was always on the spotlight," wika ni Mack Foley, kasama ni Roach sa Wild Card Boxing Gym sa Hollywood, California at sa training staff ng Team Pacquiao. "From turning pro in the spotlight, he became a trainer in the spot-light."

Sa ilalim ni Roach, dalawang sunod na ulit na pinabagsak ng 28-anyos na si Pacquiao ang 31-anyos na si Mexican legend Erik Morales sa kanilang super featherweight fight noong Enero at Nobyem-bre ng taong ito.

Bukod sa nasabing mga bagong world champions, nasa corner rin si Roach, tinanghal ring Trainer of the Year noong 2003, nina Mike Tyson, Johnny Tapia, Michael Moorer at Lucia Rijker.

Bunga ng mga naturang impresibong panalo ng kanyang mga bagong talento, ikinunsidera na ni multi-world champion Oscar Dela Hoya bilang kanyang personal trainer sa kanyang darating na championship fight kay Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

"I don't know if it is going to happen, but I'd like to see it," ani Foley. "Freddie might be training Oscar Dela Hoya for the Mayweather fight."

Tinalo ni Roach para sa 2006 Trainer of the Year award sina Enzo Calzaghe, Hall of Famer Manny Steward at Argen-tinean legend Amilcar Brusa. (Russell Cadayona)