Roach concerned for Hopkins by Mark Doyle, 01 August 2008 This content is protected This content is protected Legendary trainer Freddie Roach has expressed his fears for the health of Bernard Hopkins ahead of The Executioner's October showdown with Kelly Pavlik. Roach was in B-Hop's corner for his split-decision defeat by Joe Calzaghe in April and was concerned by what he saw from the 43-year-old American. Indeed, Roach, a former boxer who now suffers from Parkinson's disease, does not believe that Hopkins should have agreed to fight again, especially against a heavy-handed opponent like Pavlik. "I’m a little bit worried about that fight," Roach admitted in an excellent interview with Ron Borges. “Bernard is my friend. I asked him to retire after the last fight. I saw some things I didn’t like and I told him that. “Four times in that fight he walked to the wrong corner after the end of the round. "One time they showed it on TV and made a joke about him looking for the ring card girls but it happened four times. Why do you go to the wrong corner four times? "Something’s not right because Calzaghe hadn’t buzzed him. Calzaghe couldn’t hurt Bernard but Kelly is a big puncher. "He’s a different cat. He’s a young, strong, hungry guy. Timing-wise this is not right [for Hopkins]." As a result, Roach says that he is not interested in training Hopkins for his meeting with The Ghost. “Would I train him for this fight? I don’t think I can do that," he stated. "I don’t think I can help him win that fight. I think if he asks, I’ll say no." This content is protected
If he was such a good friend he wouldn't be openly condeming his plans to the press. Hopkins more than held his own in his last fight, doesn't get hit a lot & isn't showing any obvious signs of punch drunkeness. Not really sure why Roach is saying these things.
Yeah, I read that. Roach is such a class act. Though I give Bernard a much better chance than he does. And I don't buy that Calzaghe's left hand didn't have anything to do with Hopkins walking to the wrong corner.
Very shocking interview from Roach but he definitely knows more than we do so I'm going to take this seriously.
That maybe so but I don't see anything particularly classy about what he's done here. Openly criticising a so called friend's plans to the press. Presumably he won't have any issues training Pacman for that joke fight with DLH at 147.
I also don't believe stuff like this needs to be made public. I agree Hopkins should retire, but he can tell Bernard that himself, and everyone will read between the lines if he refuses to work with him anymore. Good on Roach to be concerned, but he has aired those sorts of comments previously and I think that's in bad taste.
I don't see it as bad. He wasn't giving away anything. Just some observations on what he saw. He's not longer his trainer so he can be a bit more open.
wow....roach does seemed concerned but i dont think kelly will land anything thats gonna hurt b-hop..b-hop has that style..after hopkins-taylor 2 people were saying he was done...than he beats tarver when tarver was on top and people were saying hes not done at all...i think he can be competitive in his fight with kelly though i think kelly will win a ud
I would agree with you if Roach wasn't claiming to be a friend of Hopkins. This is not the act of a friend. People let fame go to their heads too much these days. No-one can go about with a bit of quiet dignity it would seem.
I think Roach is trippin'... Pavlik only throws straight punches and Hopkins always finds a way to make his opponents look bad. Hopkins will knock Pavlik down at least 2 times and win a decision.