Roach to train Oscar.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Freddie Roach has been lined up to train Oscar De La Hoya, for his fight against Mayweather in May. Not sure about this move, Mayweather Snr. not being used is no surprise, but Roach? I don't really rate Roach as a top level coach, and would think that his style of coaching/training would be more of a plus for Mayweather than Oscar.





http://www.skysports.com/skysports/a...249575,00.html











DE LA HOYA GOES FOR ROACH
Wednesday 31st January 2007







Oscar De La Hoya will have Freddie Roach training him for his big clash with Floyd Mayweather after deciding against his usual trainer, who is his opponent's estranged father.
Floyd Mayweather Sr is usually in De La Hoya's corner, but he has unsurprisingly opted to switch to Roach for his WBC light-middleweight super-fight.

33-year-old De La Hoya takes on Mayweather on May 5 and says he was delighted to have secured the services of Roach for the fight.

"Freddie and I have known each other for many years, and I am very happy that at this point in my career he has accepted my offer to be my trainer," said champion De La Hoya.

"I felt very humbled by the fact that many great trainers reached out and offered their services, but after sitting down with Freddie, I quickly realised that this is the man I want to have in my corner come May 5.

"Freddie's accomplishments speak for themselves, and I look forward to working with him and getting in the best shape of my career to conquer yet another challenge."

Roach is also in super-featherweight Manny Pacquiao's corner, and will continue to train the Filipino for his fight with Korean Injin Chi on April 28.

“I'm happy to be working with Oscar for this fight, which for a trainer is not only a dream opportunity, but a great challenge and responsibility,” said Roach.

"I'm going to do everything in my power, and I know Oscar will as well, to ensure victory on May 5."

De La Hoya will start his training for the fight in March, and Roach will be able to add the 'Golden Boy' to his already illustrious list of fighters he has helped - including Mike Tyson, James Toney, Virgil Hill and Wayne McCullough.

[Howard_lfc]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but wasn't FR in Gatti's corner when Mayweather went to town on him?
If that's the case then he's obviously seen something that he thinks the Golden Boy can exploit. If he hasn't - then Oscar may well be in for a torrid night.

Has Oscar ever been stopped? I think Floyd will bedazzle him and then force a late stoppage.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Hopkins stopped him in nine, back in 2004.


His other losses were on points, against Trinidad and Mosley (twice)

[kurtangle01]

It's a great move by Oscar to get Roach in hs corner. If he'd had Floyd's dad there would have been to much distraction IMHO. I'm still picking De La Hoya to win the fight. He'll be to big for Mayweather IMHO and quite possibly to strong.

[Doc_Piptorious]

It's a great move by Oscar to get Roach in hs corner. If he'd had Floyd's dad there would have been to much distraction IMHO. I'm still picking De La Hoya to win the fight. He'll be to big for Mayweather IMHO and quite possibly to strong.

I would have preferred Oscar to have tried to get someone like Steward onboard. I just don't rate Roach, especially when his fighter is up against a fast, skillful one.

My heart is hoping for Oscar to win, that he is too big, too strong and has the experience of tough fights.

My head is saying Mayweather. Too fast, too slick, and I suspect that Mayweather has a much bigger heart than he is ever given credit for.

I think it is a fight that both could win, with Oscar being in the better position, as he has nothing to lose really, and a lot to gain. Mayweather, on the other hand, if he wins, people will be saying he should have, but if he loses, people will be questioning how good he is.

[bazza76]

Can totally understand De La Hoya changing coach, am not totally supprised he went for Roache, he is one of the top coaches in the world. Im pretty sure, it will be more of the same from De La Hoya against Mayweather though style wise, so I dont think Roache will have significant enough time to change De La Hoya's style, De La Hoya is a clever enough fighter anyway.
But yes, I would understand why you would not want Roache in his corner. And good call on Steward.

[kurtangle01]

I would have preferred Oscar to have tried to get someone like Steward onboard. I just don't rate Roach, especially when his fighter is up against a fast, skillful one.

My heart is hoping for Oscar to win, that he is too big, too strong and has the experience of tough fights.

My head is saying Mayweather. Too fast, too slick, and I suspect that Mayweather has a much bigger heart than he is ever given credit for.

I think it is a fight that both could win, with Oscar being in the better position, as he has nothing to lose really, and a lot to gain. Mayweather, on the other hand, if he wins, people will be saying he should have, but if he loses, people will be questioning how good he is.

Steward would have been a good choice.

You're right about the fight though. I can see Floyd being very defensive early on, boxing on the back foot for the first 5-6 rounds, and waiting for Oscar to tire before lodging his own attacks. I still see Oscar winning though.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Steward would have been a good choice.

You're right about the fight though. I can see Floyd being very defensive early on, boxing on the back foot for the first 5-6 rounds, and waiting for Oscar to tire before lodging his own attacks. I still see Oscar winning though.

I would love to see Oscar win. I have always had a soft spot for him as a fighter. But I think the fact that it is De La Hoya in the other corner, will inspire Mayweather to another level. He knows Oscar can hurt him, he knows Oscar brings power and speed. That element of fear may bring out a side of Mayweather that we are not used to seeing.


In an ideal world, I would love a fast paced fight, plenty of give and take, with Oscar scoring a KO in the later rounds. The real world will probably see a chess match for the first half.


I think my opinion on this fight may flip flop a few times before May. What I keep doing is imagining scenarios if Oscar won and then if Mayweather won, and then trying to picture the next series of fights. Who would end up fighting who etc. I see more great future fights with a Mayweather win than an Oscar win. But, I would prefer an Oscar win from a sentimental point of view.

[kurtangle01]

Good point about what fights will happen after this fight. I imagine that Oscar has maybe 1 - 2 more fights maximum regardless of win or lose. Floyd is the one that intrigues me more. He's already signalled his intentions to retire however if he wins will he be on that much of a high that he wants to continue or will he want to retire on top? If he loses will he give it up or not want to go out on a loss?

3 fights that I have wanted to see Mayweather in are Cotto, Hatton and Margarito. It seems unlikely that we'll see them now especially the Hatton one. Hatton shouldhave fought him 2 years ago just after he beat Tszyu and with Matgarito fighting Cotto in the summer I doubt we'd see Mayweather fight both of them but he could fight the winner.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I don't think Mayweather will quit if he wins, in fact I think he would go looking for more defining fights if he managed to beat a fighter of Oscar's standing. He could go looking for a series of fights against what he deems to be the best out there. Despite my reservations about Rickys' chances against Mayweather, I would love to see that fight happen. I still think Hatton would lose heavily, but it would be an entertaining fight.

If Oscar wins, I cannot see a lot of fights for him, other than a rematch. I think he might go after Mosley again, to try and get a win against him, and he may try to tempt Trinidad back. But I cannot see any relevant fights for the Golden Boy.

[kurtangle01]

I don't think Mayweather will quit if he wins, in fact I think he would go looking for more defining fights if he managed to beat a fighter of Oscar's standing. He could go looking for a series of fights against what he deems to be the best out there. Despite my reservations about Rickys' chances against Mayweather, I would love to see that fight happen. I still think Hatton would lose heavily, but it would be an entertaining fight.

If Oscar wins, I cannot see a lot of fights for him, other than a rematch. I think he might go after Mosley again, to try and get a win against him, and he may try to tempt Trinidad back. But I cannot see any relevant fights for the Golden Boy.

It all depends on what type of performance Hatton put in IMHO. If he fought like he did against Collazo or Maussa then Mayweather would win hands down however if he performs like he did against Tszyu then I think he gives Mayweather a good run for his money. I'm not saying he would win but he would at least stand a chance. Hatton needs fights like Mayweather at this stage of his career and not people like N'dou, who he's now supposed to be fighting next. The problem with Ricky is that his career is being managed badly at the moment by the people round about him IMHO.

[bazza76]

I can see his being De La hoyas last fight sadly enough.
He did go on record to say he will not retire if he could find a decent challenge, and as it turns out, Mayweather is the challenge he was looking for, motivation is the key for De La Hoya and he admited so himself, give him top quality chalenge and he may take it, if there is no more top quality challengers out there for him I can see him retiring.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Yeah I have to agree. Hatton's management has always been poor imho. Some of the fights that he has had in the past have baffled me. They were typical Warren fights, pad the record, get the cash in, while the fighter stagnates.

His current management should be looking to get him the biggests fights they can each fight, he is at a stage in his career where he only has a certain number of fights left, so wasting fights on nomarks like N'dou is a waste of time and effort.

[kurtangle01]

Yeah I have to agree. Hatton's management has always been poor imho. Some of the fights that he has had in the past have baffled me. They were typical Warren fights, pad the record, get the cash in, while the fighter stagnates.

His current management should be looking to get him the biggests fights they can each fight, he is at a stage in his career where he only has a certain number of fights left, so wasting fights on nomarks like N'dou is a waste of time and effort.

Under Fight Academy his career has stepped forward due to not being constantly held back by Frank Warren and they have secured him 3 world title matches. They have come at a cost though because he almost lost his 0 against Collazo and has now found himself having to defend the IBF title in a nothing fight instead of fighting Castillo. Surely the best thing to do would have been bypassing Urango and going right for Castillo? And as for almost losing his 0 against Collazo, we'll find out in Saturday if it was an off night or a good performance to stick with it against a good opponent because Mosely and Collazo are fighting. If Collazo beats Mosely people will be saying that Hatton did well to beat him. If Collazo gets beat people will say that Hatton struggled against a poor fighter.

Hatton said he had 3 fights left after Urango and I'm certain that N'dou was never planned to be one of them.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Under Fight Academy his career has stepped forward due to not being constantly held back by Frank Warren and they have secured him 3 world title matches. They have come at a cost though because he almost lost his 0 against Collazo and has now found himself having to defend the IBF title in a nothing fight instead of fighting Castillo. Surely the best thing to do would have been bypassing Urango and going right for Castillo? And as for almost losing his 0 against Collazo, we'll find out in Saturday if it was an off night or a good performance to stick with it against a good opponent because Mosely and Collazo are fighting. If Collazo beats Mosely people will be saying that Hatton did well to beat him. If Collazo gets beat people will say that Hatton struggled against a poor fighter.

Hatton said he had 3 fights left after Urango and I'm certain that N'dou was never planned to be one of them.

Yeah, I would have thought that Hatton wanted the three biggest fights he could get as his last three. Regardless of the result on Saturday, Collazo is not a poor fighter, and Ricky did well to get the result against him. Mosley has fought to a higher level than Hatton, and in some ways is an even tougher fight for Collazo, mainly because I think Mosley is a bit more savvy than Hatton. In terms of sheer toughness and grit, Hatton wins.

Actually I would not mind seeing Hatton vs Mosley either. Would be an interesting contrast of styles and mentality.

Hatton vs De La Hoya popped into my head as well this morning, the weight it would be fought at would be the key. But Hatton would have no problem getting up for that fight, although I suspect that Oscar would be too strong, but you never know, a motivated Hatton may turn in a huge performance.