FREDDIE ROACH has guided Manny Pacquiao to some of the most iconic wins in recent history.
So picking the best of the bunch is no easy feat for the Hall of Fame boxing trainer.
But a certain five live long in the memory for Roach, who first met PacMan in 2001, and knew he would be world champion after just ONE ROUND on the pads.
And with the help of the legendary coach, SunSport runs down his five favourite Pacquiao wins, following the boxing legend’s recent retirement.
Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, June 2001
In their first fight together, Pacquiao became an overnight sensation as he knocked out South African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba to announce himself to the world.
For that reason, it is a night which Roach forever cherishes.
FR: I told Top Rank to get their money together and bet on Pacquiao.
They said, ‘Freddie, he’s going to get killed in this fight, Ledwaba’s a killer’. I said, ‘No, Manny’s a killer, he’s special’.
The whole Top Rank company were against me, they thought I was a little bit crazy when I said Manny would win by knockout.
But it happened and they all believed in me afterwards.
Marco Antonio Barrera, November 2003
Pacquiao beat the Mexican great twice, firstly in 2003 with just one round to go before winning the rematch on points four years later.
But it was the original that Roach favours most.
FR: When he fought Barrera, that was my favourite win. When we fought in Texas, I mean he was pound-for-pound best fighter in the world at that time.
Manny fought a great fight and knocked him out in the 11th round – and I even made some money in that fight!
Even in the rematch, it was a great fight, I loved it when those two guys got together.
Oscar De La Hoya, December 2008
Pacquiao stunned all as he jumped TWO DIVISIONS from lightweight to fight De La Hoya, who had won titles as a high as middleweight.
But De La Hoya – previously coached by Roach – was sent into retirement after an eight round beatdown and PacMan became the newest superstar in the sport.
FR: That was a good win. I had trained Oscar before and I kind of knew how to fight him and how to beat him.
It worked out well for us, of course, but Manny from the first fight on just dominated that fight.
I thought Oscar might have been a little bit over the hill at that point.
Ricky Hatton, May 2009
In his next fight after demolishing De La Hoya, Pacquiao dropped back down to light-welterweight for Ricky Hatton, who had been knocked out by Floyd Mayweather two years prior.
And PacMan, rivalling Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings at the time, made easy work of British hero Hatton.
After two prior knockdowns, a brutal left hand in the second round left The Hitman out for the count.
FR: Hatton had never lost a light welterweight fight going into their battle.
Manny actually moved down a weight division (after De La Hoya). It was my favourite knockout.
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Miguel Cotto, November 2009
To cap off a remarkable 11 month period, Cotto joined Hatton and De La Hoya on Pacquiao’s hit-list.
The Filipino put on a stunning display and scored a stoppage with just two minutes of the fight remaining.
It was possibly Pacquiao at the peak of his powers and one of his most breathing taking performances ever.
FR: It proved that Manny belonged in the welterweight division and he beat a future Hall of Famer at his peak.
Roach would later go on to train Cotto.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
