Roach itinanghal na Trainer of the Year ng Sports Illustrated

MANILA, Philippines - Dahil sa kanyang paggiya kina Filipino world eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao, dating world welterweight king Miguel Cotto at bagong world light welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov, hinirang si Freddie Roach bilang ‘2013 Trainer of the Year’ ng Sports Illustrated.

“Roach is no stranger to this award, and this year he is as deserving as ever,” wika ni Chris Mannix ng Sports Illustrated sa pagpili kay Roach.

Ibinangon ni Roach si Pacquiao mula sa dala-wang sunod na kabiguan nito noong 2012 nang igiya si ‘Pacman’ sa isang unanimous decision win laban kay Brandon ‘Bam Bam’ Rios noong Nobyembre 24 sa Macau, China.

Natalo si Pacquiao kay Timothy Bradley, Jr. sa isang kontrobersyal na split decision win noong Hunyo 9, habang napatulog naman siya ni Marquez sa sixth round sa kanilang ikaapat na paghaharap noong Dis-yembre 8, 2012.

Inakay naman ng chief trainer si Cotto sa isang third-round knockout kay Delvin Rodriguez sa isang non-title fight noong Oktubre.

“In addition to rebuilding Manny Pacquiao after a brutal knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez last year, Roach re-e-nergized Miguel Cotto… and developed Ruslan Provodnikov into a junior welterweight titleholder,” sabi ni Mannix.

Bagama’t wala sa kanyang corner, sinunod pa rin ni Provodnikov ang gameplan ni Roach para agawin kay Mike Alvarado ang suot nitong World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight belt via ninth-round KO victory noong Oktubre.

“(Roach) is a gifted motivator and tactician,” wika ni Mannix. “His aggressive coaching style routinely leads to crowd-pleasing fights.”

“Fighters are quick to credit Roach’s influence, even – as was the case with Provodnikov after his scintillating win over Alvarado – when Roach is not able to formally work the corner,” dagdag pa nito.