Manny Pacquiao Fighter Blog Week Three: Brandon Rios

Freddie Roach has meant everything to my professional boxing career and to me personally.  I cannot overstate my feelings for him.

We bonded the first time we ever worked together and that was at Wild Card Boxing Club in 2001.  My then-manager brought me to Wild Card looking for someone to hit the mitts with me and Freddie volunteered.  After the first round I went back to my corner and said,  "I just found my new trainer," and Freddie went back to his corner and said, "I just found my new fighter."    We've been a team ever since.

Our first fight together was when we got a late call to challenge IBF junior featherweight champion Lehlo Ledwaba.  We had only worked together four or five weeks and we won our first world title together when I knocked Ledwaba out.   If that's not a sign I don't know what is.  It was providence.

My English was not very good back then but we had no problem understanding each other.  Our success as a professional team can be read on my resume, but it's our relationship outside the ring which has meant so much more to me

At various times Freddie has been a father and a brother to me.  When I needed advice or assistance he always came through for me, either personally or by setting me up with the right people.  He has been such a big influence on me and he has had a great impact on my life and my career.  He gave me the foundation to become the person I am today and if not for Freddie perhaps I would not be able to accomplish the things I have.  I am successful and independent because of the years of guidance Freddie has given to me.

As a trainer Freddie inspires me to be the best I can be inside the gym and inside the ring.  He is a wonderful teacher.  The way he lives his life and faces his affliction inspires me personally and spiritually.

Freddie Roach has been good for my soul.  He has been a blessing.  I never want to let Master Freddie down and I will always pray for him.   

 

24/7 Pacquiao/Rios Finale debuts Thursday, Nov. 21 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

Manny Pacquiao vs Brandon Rios takes place Saturday, Nov. 23 live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

 

For more coverage, check out the Official CraveOnline Boxing News Feed and visit our friends at RingTV!

Photo Credit: GettyImages / AFP/Stringer

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