MANILA, Philippines — Freddie Roach is back in Manny Pacquiao’s corner.
“Yes, it’s true,” said the 58-year-old trainer yesterday after ironing things out with his prized fighter during a meeting in Beverly Hills.
Roach was out of sight and out of mind when Pacquiao fought Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse last July in Kuala Lumpur.
Pacquiao won the fight inside seven rounds with Buboy Fernandez and Justin Fortune manning the corner. It was his first knockout win since 2009.
Differences after the disappointing loss to Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July 2017 are said to be the cause of his fallout with Roach.
“We are all one team working together. We always have been,” added Roach, now looking forward to a new chapter with Pacquiao.
“Manny reached out directly. We sat together one on one. I’ll be in his corner Jan. 19,” added the Hall of Fame trainer.
The meeting was the first between Pacquiao and Roach since the Horn fight. It was just like old times.
On Jan. 19, the boxing icon turning 40 on Dec. 17 will put everything on the line against Cincinnati’s Adrien Broner in Las Vegas.
At stake is Pacquiao’s WBA welterweight belt and whatever is left of his future inside the ring.
If Pacquiao is impressive in victory, it may lead to a rematch with the retired and undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.