Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: The Most Dangerous Division in Sports

Pacquiao and Roach and the Rest of Boxing's Best Trainer/Fighter Tandems

Can any current tandem live up to this legendary partnership?

From James Kirkland's performance on Saturday, it was obvious that he is a different fighter when Ann Wolfe is in his corner. He had a different look about him. His chin suddenly improved to such a level that he survived a brutal shot from Alfredo Angulo, and his stamina looked absolutely fantastic. It got me to thinking, who else has benefited from being matched with the perfect trainer?

Star-divide

1. Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach
This partnership absolutely has to be number one. Manny was a one-armed fighter who had a bunch of heart and Freddie transformed him into the complete beast he is today. Speed, footwork, power, and stamina have all improved to exceptionally high levels with even his defense getting better. Freddie has been like the unlockable gloves in a video game that gives +10 to all stats. Pacman has gotten so much better that it is absolutely stupid.

2. Wladimir Klitschko and Emmanuel Steward
Wlad had a bad chin and looked like a poor man's version of his brother. He had already lost to the big names of Ross Puritty and Corrie Sanders, when he sought the services of Steward. Even though they lost their first fight together, Steward transformed Wlad into a tall fighter working behind a solid jab with a strong right cross. Wlad is now the best Heavyweight in the world with no one looking to be a serious challenger to the throne.

3. Sergio Martinez and Gabriel Sarmiento
After getting thoroughly beat by the alleged stone hands of Antonio Margarito, Martinez ran off to Spain and met up with Gabriel. Ever since these two have been together, Sergio has lost only one time, which some people dispute, and Sergio has become the undisputed champion of the Middleweight division. Sergio has transformed from a cutie to someone who can destroy a career with one punch.  Gabriel wasn't in the corner for the Barker fight, and some people point to that as the reason for the disappointing performance.  

4. Bernard Hopkins and Naazim Richardson
I don't know what it is with these two, but its like a Zen master and his star pupil. These two just fit perfectly together and they have been able to keep Bernard competitive as he has aged.  At 46 he is the oldest Ring champion ever. The corner talk between these two is always on point and turns close fights into blowouts. Absolutely fantastic!

5. Andre Ward and Virgil Hunter
You knew this was coming. Ward hasn't lost since forever ago, and he will tell you that he was robbed. He destroyed Kessler with an awesome gameplan, absolutely annihilated Allan Green, and had a tough battle with Sakio Bika. Through the Super Six, Andre proved that he was the real deal, and that he could fight with multiple styles. Andre always looks ready for a fight, and Virgil is a driving force for that attitude.

Alright, I've listed a few and deliberately left a couple out for you guys. Have at it, give me your best pairings!

Comment 32 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

JM Marquez and Nacho Beristain
Brandon Rios and Robert Garcia
George Groves and Adam Booth

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 8, 2011 7:17 AM EST reply actions  

+1 on Adam Booth

Great ‘tactician’, as proved by the Groves/DeGale & Valuev/Haye fights

by Shitali Klitschko on Nov 8, 2011 6:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

move like a fly, bite like a mosquito! hahaah

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 7:46 AM EST reply actions  

Arturo Gatti and Buddy McGirt

#1 Devon Alexander hater

by uGotKTFO on Nov 8, 2011 8:58 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

Tyson and Cus D’Amato

by Verklemptomaniac on Nov 8, 2011 10:00 AM EST reply actions  

yeah, this is an absolute MUST on this list.

by Radu on Nov 8, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions  

Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Sr.!!

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:10 AM EST reply actions  

wait…

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions  

Does Ward really belong on the list?

We can’t say what Virgils done for him. Whereas Pacman, B-hop, Martinez and Klitschko we can as they switche trainers. I mean, while P4P Ward is better than all of them, I don’t think we can thank Virgil necessarily for Andre’s work.

by journeyintosound on Nov 8, 2011 10:10 AM EST reply actions  

Virgil coached him from amateurs up, he’s the one who mapped out his career, gave him his philosophy and helped fuel his belief in God, he was the one who did not drain him in the Olympics, therefore 175 was his walking around weight while he fought 200 lbers in amateurs… he was the one who managed his career coming up in the pros… choosing the right opponents (tall opponents, short opponents, southpaws, infighters, brawlers etc.), and he’s the one who keeps Andre Ward grounded as a fighter and a human being. So based on what I know, virgil has done an f’n lot that no other trainer could do for ward.

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:12 AM EST up reply actions  

and he basically adopted him as a son when his father died.

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions  

True, but we can’t assess how essential he is to Ward as we could in the other fighters where we’ve seen what’s happened either before or after these trainers.

Bob Arum would promote Lucifer himself if he could put asses in the seats.

by Apprentice on Nov 8, 2011 11:02 AM EST up reply actions  

Yea thats my point

Its hard to evalute without a trainer switch how much they mattered and hwo much was just andre being andre.

by journeyintosound on Nov 8, 2011 1:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Michael Moorer and Teddy Atlas.

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:10 AM EST reply actions  

Winky wright, dan birmingham

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:13 AM EST reply actions  

Israel vazquez and who was his new trainer after freddie roach? Rudy Perez?

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:15 AM EST reply actions  

Floyd and Roger

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:15 AM EST reply actions  

I don't think you can include him

Floyd will still be the fighter he is… Even if I train him!!! That man has god given talent

by Sweet science on Nov 8, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions  

Batman and Robin

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 8, 2011 10:16 AM EST reply actions  

Ali and Dundee

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Nov 8, 2011 10:27 AM EST reply actions  

Marvelous Marvin & the Petronelli Bros.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Nov 8, 2011 11:47 AM EST reply actions  

Steward and Tommy Hearns

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Nov 8, 2011 11:49 AM EST reply actions  

Glen Johnson and Orlando Cuellar
Steward and Hearns, Lewis
I know people will disagree, but without Ulli Wegner, I think Abraham is nothing more than a chinchecker
Ricky Hatton and Billy Graham (despite the unamicable split)
Librado Andrade and Howard Grant
Joe and Enzo Calzaghe
Amir Khan and Roach

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 8, 2011 1:35 PM EST reply actions  

Forgot that Khan was with Roach…..

Amazing where he was before linking up with him. Ditto Pac.

by Shitali Klitschko on Nov 8, 2011 6:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Forgot that Khan was with Roach…..

Amazing where he was before linking up with him. Ditto Pac.

by Shitali Klitschko on Nov 8, 2011 6:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Yank Durham>>>>Eddie Futch and Joe Frazier

A rare instance of genteel, decent, passing of the torch, to the benefit of the fighter.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Nov 8, 2011 4:03 PM EST reply actions  

Niceee….

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 9, 2011 12:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, they sure as hell mesh well, and just keep coming up with and executing the right plans.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 9, 2011 6:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Zoom_2_small
Ward needs to leave SM, and SM needs him to leave
Reds_small
Ray Robinson And Cassius Clay, Together For The First Time
Buchanan
David Price and Seth Mitchell: How to Properly Develop a Heavyweight
Small
Sterioids in Boxing!!
Ali-frazier_small
Aaron Pryor vs Floyd Mayweather.
017_small
Adrien Broner - Real or Imitation
Small
Press Release: Top Rank purchases WBC
Buchanan
Is Boxing Dead?
Singleton04_small
It's Not if but When, they're fires stop burning
Reds_small
A Few Ballroom Bout Results

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managing Editor

206480_10150226708710923_747385922_9037192_4017321_n_small Scott Christ

Editors & Moderators

Aki_hair_cropped_small Brickhaus

Boxing_icon_small Matt Miller

Profile_picture_small Brent Brookhouse

Ingo_small A.F.

Contributors

Henry_leeds_small Oli Goldstein

Chris_celletti_headshot_small Chris Celletti

Duran4-470x308_small Kory Kitchen

051_small Thomas Hill