Freddie Roach: “I see Manny Pacquiao fighting for a couple more years, he is the hardest worker I ever seen and he still is!”

Freddie Roach is set to once again return to the ring with his most noteworthy fighter, Manny Pacquiao Roach and Pacquiao have had an amazing run together and hope to continue that success when the team faces off against WBO welterweight champion, Jessie Vargas. While the twenty seven year old Vargas is seen as a heavy underdog, some feel Manny Pacquiao might be underestimating him and an upset could be in the works for this weekend.

In part 2 of my “On The Ropes” boxing radio interview with Freddie Roach, I get his thoughts on the future of Miguel Cotto and his thoughts on a potential Canelo Alvarez rematch. Roach also shares his thoughts on Jessie Vargas as a fighter and what he thinks of the opposing trainer. Additionally, Freddie talks about the future of Manny Pacquiao and if he sees the Vargas fight as a key to getting the Floyd Mayweather rematch. Here is what Freddie Roach had to say.

Jenna J: Freddie, people are interested to know what fight might be next for Miguel Cotto, I’m curious to know what you have heard and who you would like him to fight?

Freddie Roach: I have heard many opponents and many fights fall apart, I’m anxious to get back in the ring again with him because the lay off has been a little bit too long, but hopefully we get Canelo in a rematch, because I thought we won the first one and that’s my number one choice for him.

Jenna J: What would you do different in a Cotto-Canelo rematch?

Freddie Roach: I thought we out boxed him, that was the gameplan going in and if we fought him one more time we would have to sit down on our punches a little more, use our power a little bit, cause we boxed him a little bit too much in the first fight and didn’t use our power that he does have. I think he has to use his power shots a little bit more.

Jenna J: Back to the fight this weekend against Jessie Vargas, from what you have seen of Vargas what do you think of him as a fighter?

Freddie Roach: I have never seen him on TV, I have never seen him on TV. I forget this guys name every day of my life, come on give me a break. What’s his name? Jessie what?

Jenna J: Well I’m sure you have seen him on tape, did you see anything that might be a problem for Manny?

Freddie Roach: Nope, nope. Him and his trainer can go cry after the fight. I promise.

Jenna J: Let’s talk about the fight itself, it’s on a pay-per-view hosted by Top Rank, it has a really good undercard. How do you think the fight does without HBO and Showtime, and do you think it’s a good transition for Manny?

Freddie Roach: Well it’s more of a transition for Bob Arum to see if it works. If it works, he will tell HBO and Showtime, he will tell them where to go. He’s taking the risk, I think it’s a good risk and he’s putting a nice show together with a lot of good fights, I think it’s going to do well.

Jenna J: What is you prediction for Pacquiao vs. Vargas?

Freddie Roach: I predict Manny knocks him out in the late rounds.

Jenna J: What’s going to lead to the knockout?

Freddie Roach: Speed, he can not handle Manny’s speed. He’s too slow and he can’t punch, so he’s not that dangerous a fighter. I’m not impressed.

Jenna J: We are heading into 2017, could you see that being the last year for Manny Pacquiao?

Freddie Roach: No I don’t, I could see Manny Pacquiao fighting for a couple more years. The way he trains and his dedication, it hasn’t changed, he hasn’t lost a step yet. Same speed, same power, Manny Pacquiao is the hardest worker I ever seen and he still is.

Jenna J: In closing Freddie, in the lead up to this fight, Floyd Mayweather said that he thinks Jessie Vargas will beat Manny Pacquiao. Why do you think he is making these statements?

Freddie Roach: I really don’t know why, Mayweather did stop by my gym a couple of months ago twice, just hanging around, just wanting to watch the boxing. I think he’s fishing for a rematch with Pacquiao and hopefully that’s what will happen. Being impressive in knocking out Jessie Vargas I think will guarantee us this fight. If Mayweather thinks Jessie Vargas can knock out my guy, he’s wrong, but we will see, I mean he’s being trained by an amateur and that’s all I have to say about him.