Pacquiao and Roach and the Rest of Boxing's Best Trainer/Fighter Tandems
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?
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!
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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..."
+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
Arturo Gatti and Buddy McGirt
#1 Devon Alexander hater
by uGotKTFO on Nov 8, 2011 8:58 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
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."
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."
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.
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
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."
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
Marvelous Marvin & the Petronelli Bros.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
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."
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
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..."

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