MANILA, Philippines – The trainers on opposite camps were former fighters who’ve been there and done that. They’re two of the best cornermen in the fight game today. Freddie Roach will be in Manny Pacquiao’s corner while Robert Garcia takes charge of Antonio Margarito’s corner when the bell rings to start the 12-round battle for the vacant WBC superwelterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this morning (Manila time).
Roach, 50, was a pro boxer from 1978 to 1986, retiring with a record of 40-13, including 15 KOs. Trained by the legendary Eddie Futch, he gained a reputation as a never-say-die warrior who went toe-to-toe against world champions Bobby Chacon, Greg Haugen and Camacho. Roach had no inkling he would later become a hero in the Philippines when he posted his last win ever in the ring over a Filipino – Arnel Arrozal in Lynwood, Washington, in August 1986.
Garcia, 35, is regarded as a ring legend in Los Angeles like Oscar de la Hoya, Sugar Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas, Genaro Hernandez, Bobby Chacon, Carlos Palomino, Mike Weaver, Mando Ramos and Manuel Ortiz. He turned pro at 17 in 1992 and won his first three bouts by knockout in Japan. Garcia compiled 32 straight wins and appeared invincible when he captured the vacant IBF superfeatherweight diadem on a decision over Harold Warren in Miami in 1998.
Garcia lost the crown in his third defense to Diego Corrales in 1999. Then, he was knocked out by Ghana’s Ben Tackie in the 10th and last round in Las Vegas a few months later. Garcia came back to outpoint Santos Marcos in Phoenix but was stopped by Cuba’s Joel Casamayor in a bid for the WBA throne in his next bout. Garcia retired from the ring at 26 in 2001 with a record of 34-3, including 25 KOs.
Roach has worked with at least 25 world champions while Garcia is still building up his resume, now listing former world titleholders Brian Viloria and Steven Luevano. Roach holds court at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Garcia trains at the La Colonia Gym in Oxnard outside of Los Angeles.
Both are predicting knockout wins for their wards. Roach, however, has the edge in credibility because of his track record. He said he expects the first four rounds to be explosive.
“We’ll see a very competitive first four rounds,” Roach said. “Margarito will come out attacking. Then, Manny will start breaking him down with his power and speed. He won’t be able to handle Manny’s speed. He’ll begin feeling Manny’s power and remember, he cuts easily. Manny will go on to beat him up badly. I think it’ll be over by the eighth round.”
Margarito, 32, is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over Roberto Garcia for the vacant WBC International superwelterweight crown in Aguascalientes, Mexico, last May. Garcia was floored in the first round and was never in contention as the judges scored it 100-88, 99-90 and 99-89. It was Margarito’s first fight with Garcia in his corner. Margarito’s record is 38-6, with 27 KOs compared to Pacquiao’s 51-3-2, with 38 KOs. Pacquiao, 31, has won his last 12 fights, eight inside the distance, and hasn’t lost since dropping a decision to Erik Morales five years ago. If he beats Margarito, Pacquiao will set a new record by capturing his eighth world title in eight different divisions.
In a recent interview, Roach denied facing off with Garcia twice. It was reported that Garcia had chalked up two wins over Roach in opposing corners. “I only remember one fight and it was a controversial ending,” said Roach referring to Luevano’s win by disqualification over Bernabe Concepcion last year. “All I know was my boy (Concepcion) knocked out Luevano but the referee ruled the punch came after the bell ending the seventh round.”
Roach said Margarito is “limited” as a fighter and once he feels Pacquiao’s power, he’ll begin to lose heart. “We’ve covered all the bases, using sparmates to simulate what we’re anticipating from Margarito,” said Roach. “To win, Garcia’s got to change Margarito’s style and that’s not going to happen. We noticed Margarito used a little more movement in his last fight against Garcia but that won’t be enough.”
Garcia is nicknamed “Grandpa” because he was so advanced in boxing at an early age. When he was five, Garcia began studying his father Eduardo train fighters at the La Colonia gym. “By the time I was 12, guys started calling me ‘Grandpa’ because I already knew so much about boxing,” said Garcia who is Nonito Donaire’s chief strategist.