by James Slater: Freddie roach is, without a doubt, one of the most competent trainers in the sport of boxing today. With too many fine fighters to mention having worked with Roach throughout his excellent career, Freddie’s pedigree has been proven time and again. Now, in attempting to help the 43 year old Bernard Hopkins to get a victory over the unbeaten Joe Calzaghe on Saturday, Roach is on the verge of one of his greatest challenges. In an interview with BBC sport, Roach says he and his team have developed an ideal plan to beat the superb Welshman.
“Calzaghe has a difficult and awkward style, ” Freddie began. “But he’s never faced anyone like Bernard – Bernard knows more about boxing than all of us [in our team]. There’s me, John David Jackson and Naazim Richardson in the team, because we needed to create a battle plan. Joe stands in front of you, he’s a little bit square and he throws punches over the top, and that leaves openings for a good counter-puncher, Roach added.
A good counter-puncher Bernard Hopkins certainly is. It sounds as though Roach and his team have definitely done their homework, as would be expected from such experienced pros. Freddie went even further when explaining tactics, however.
“I know Joe has bad hands, and we’re going to take advantage of that,” the trainer continued. “When a big punch comes, Bernard will dip his head and get hit on the forehead and Joe’s going to hurt his hands. My guy knows how to do that. Bernard is a textbook fighter. His chin’s down, his hands are up, his feet are always in the right position, and he’s never off balance,” Roach also stated.
With no stone left unturned, one thing is clear – Bernard Hopkins has a well planned out strategy for the big fight. The same can almost certainly be said for Calzaghe and his team, of course, but Roach’s talk of exploiting the unbeaten fighters well known hand trouble has to be worrying for the Welshman and his fans. If, for example, Joe does find himself fighting with only one hand in good condition, he will be in real trouble. And it’s happened before, let’s not forget. There’s just no way a one-handed fighter, whoever he is, can beat Hopkins, that’s for sure. Roach closed his BBC interview with one final nugget of info.
“It’s all about how many beatings you’ve taken in boxing, and neither guy has. How many beatings has Bernard taken? None. He’s a young 43,” Roach declared.
We will see if this changes any come Tomorrow night!