Considering Roach's illness and that he's slowed down considerably to 5 years ago, how long does he realistically have left as a trainer in the sport? I understand people saying it's not Roach, it's Khan that needs to look at himself, but having a perfectly able bodied and mobile coach to help you. is critical. After Pacquiao retires, I really don't see Roach's health allowing him to stay in the sport much longer than that. Everyone needs a trainer who can move around the ring with them, be a little agile with some speed, but with Parkinson's diseases, he looks like his lost A LOT of his mobility he once had. Don't get me wrong, Khan still needs to listen to his new trainer, but I think a change of coach is the best thing, considering Roach's condition.
It's hard to tell if Roach is slipping or Khan just fights like a dumbass while Manny himself is also aging and preparing to leave the sport. I think Roach looks pretty good on the mitts still.
I personally think alot of Khans issues and losses have far more to do with not consistently following orders and being complacent against certain fighters than anything to do with Roach's health or choice of trainer. He still looks up to the job when I see him, and its not just him anyway, there is a team working with him to train his fighters.
Parkinsons or no Parkinsons, you could do a lot worse than Freddie Roach. At least Roach gives good corner instructions to his fighters. Whoever was in Chad Dawson's corner for his fight with Andre Ward was atrocious. His instructions were things like "roll your shoulders", "I know it's difficult, but that's what we do", and "Win. You're a winner go out there and win." No advice about foot movement. No "double your jab" or "circle right" or anything Dawson could actually use. Roach always has a plan. He's watching the opponent for signs of weakness and breaking him down for his fighter.
I think it was a wise decision, but not because of his illness. Khan needs a coach who can basically dedicate his time to him, he also needs to be a reasonably big name so Khan has belief that nothing can go wrong.
Roach still looks ok on the mitts and in training but during the fight where the action is live and spontaneous he slows right down can't think fast enough. When Khan got knocked out and went to the corner he needed someone to throw water over him wake him up, 'accidently' spill the bucket of water, cut his gloves anything to buy him a bit more time to survive the next round. He's just not sharp enough in the corner during fight night any more.