I believe that the trainer made the difference in the Pac/Cotto fight. It was clear that Roach saw something missing in Cotto. Manny entered the ring with a plan, set forth by Roach while Cotto just seemed to think that being in great shape should win it for him. A boxer is really only as good as his corner just like a quarterback is only as good as his offensive line and receivers. Roach is good, no doubt. Hard to say he's the best, if there is such a thing. Fighters and trainers take chemistry. Just ask Manny Stewart.
There is no doubt he is the best of this era and maybe the best of any era we will see when he retires.
Huh? There's plenty of doubt. He's a good trainer, but for every good fighter in his stable he's got a Brian Minto hanging around to counter the point that he's some training genius.