Boxing

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.
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach with Manny PacquiaoCredit: AP:Associated Press
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.
Manny Pacquiao beat Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in 2001Credit: Getty

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.
Marco Antonio Barrera was first beaten by Manny Pacquiao in 2003Credit: Alamy
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.
Oscar De La Hoya was sent into retirement by Manny PacquiaoCredit: AP:Associated Press
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.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 IN FREE BETS WITH WILLIAM HILL
Ricky Hatton was brutally knocked out by Manny PacquiaoCredit: EPA
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.
Manny Pacquiao beat Miguel Cotto in 12 roundsCredit: AP:Associated Press More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been training with Mike Tyson’s former coach ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.And it is the biggest hint yet that the Brit could have a new trainer instead of Rob McCracken next time he faces the Ukrainian.
Anthony Joshua has been training with Ronnie Shields in America this weekCredit: Instagram @teamguinnboxing
The veteran coach used to train Mike TysonCredit: REuters
AJ has been in the USA since he lost his heavyweight world titles to Usyk in Tottenham last month and has been spotted in a number of different gyms.
A number of questions have been asked of Joshua’s training team, led by McCracken, since he was outclassed by Usyk and speculation has been mounting that the coach and boxer could split.
The star has already posted Snapchats of him visiting his mentee Joshua Buatsi in Virgil Hunter’s gym in Hayward, California.
And a further clip emerged showing Joshua hanging out with Canelo Alvarez in Eddy Reynoso’s gym in San Diego, California over the weekend.
The veteran trainer has previously worked with the likes of Iron Mike and Evander Holyfield and he says that he has been training with the Englishman to see if they ‘mesh’ ahead of a permanent appointment for the Usyk rematch.
Shields told ThaBoxingVoice: “They reached out to me and they asked if I would be interested in taking a look at AJ and that he wanted to come down to Texas and see if things would work out between him and I.

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
“I said: ‘No problem, I would love to see if we had a connection together’.
“He said: ‘European boxing is different from boxing in the US.’ He realised he had to come to the US to get something different… I guess he didn’t feel it was the right [game plan vs Usyk] so he wanted to make a change.
“He told me: ‘Listen, I know people don’t think I’m a dog. I’m gonna be a dog in this next fight.’
“And that’s his words. He told me: ‘I just need you to show me how to be the best dog you can teach me to be.’”
Joshua officially invoked his right to an immediate rematch, Eddie Hearn confirmed, with a target date of March or April.
And the promoter did not rule out new faces in the training team in order to become the first to figure out the Usyk puzzle, who is unbeaten in 19 fights.
Hearn told Boxing Social: “I think what AJ will wanna do is analyse why he performed like that.
“Yeah, the tactics weren’t right, he underperformed, but why?

“It’s difficult just to say, ‘He didn’t get the tactics right and he underperformed,’ because let’s talk about the brilliance of Usyk as well.
“But AJ will always look at his preparation and see how he can improve.
“If that’s changing things up, looking at bringing people in, or whatever he’s got to do, he will do that.”
Shields was asked about McCracken working with AJ ahead of the rematch, and he said the former champ would only be looking to take one of his current coaches with him moving forwards – Angel Fernandez.
He added: “I spoke to him about some other guy that came with him.
“He explained to me that he really wants this guy there, I told him it’s no problem with me.
“Angel. He told me he wanted Angel to be with him and I told him, ‘Yeah, it’s no problem.’”
AJ has shared snaps of him training with Ronnie Shields in the StatesCredit: Instagram @teamguinnboxing
The pair have been in talks over whether they will work together for the Usyk rematchCredit: Instagram @teamguinnboxing
John Fury claims Anthony Joshua flopped against Usyk and has no chance against Tyson Fury More

TYSON FURY has picked Joe Joyce as ‘the best one out there’ to challenge him for his throne in a surprise snub to his other heavyweight rivals. Fury right now is the top dog in the division, having knocked out Deontay Wilder.
Joe Joyce sparred Tyson Fury in 2018Credit: Refer to Caption
Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua in SeptemberCredit: Getty
Dillian Whyte is one fight away from facing Tyson FuryCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
And if Dillian Whyte beats Otto Wallin on October 30, he will be the next in line for the Gypsy King’s WBC title.
Fighting for the undisputed crown is also in Fury’s sights before the end of 2022, but he has to first wait for Anthony Joshua to rematch Oleksandr Usyk.
Despite all the usual suspects lurking underneath him, the unbeaten champion believes British contender Joyce is the best of the bunch.
His promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports: “I was talking to Tyson about him. Tyson said that he’s the best one out there.
“That’s what Tyson’s opinion was. Can he go all the way? Yes he can. He’s got a good ticker, a big heart.
“He’s strong, he walks forwards, he is the ‘Juggernaut’. Whoever he’s in there with, you know they will have a problem getting rid of him.
“He’s a tough guy. He can fight a bit. He can punch.”

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Joyce, 35, looked in line to fight Usyk, 34, for the WBO ‘interim’ title while Joshua, 32, was in talks to fight Fury, 33, in the summer.
But instead Wilder, 35, won an arbitration case which meant he forced through his contracted trilogy bout with the Gypsy King.
He later lost it after 11 thrilling rounds, just weeks after Usyk dethroned AJ of the unified titles at Tottenham’s stadium.
The heavyweight saga meant Joyce, who sparred Fury in 2018, was frozen out, but did get placed as the WBO’s next mandatory challenger.
He returned in July with a win over veteran Carlos Takam, 40, and will now wait patiently in the heavyweight queue.
But his promoter fancies Joyce’s chances against Usyk, who he lost to in the amateur World Series of Boxing tournament in 2013.

Warren said: “Him and Usyk would be a great fight. He could hurt Usyk, he’s a big man.
“Could he beat Usyk? Yes. He fancies it and I fancy it. He isn’t going to back off Usyk. He’d let his shots go.
“It won’t be the little man out-jabbing the big man – that will not be happening.”
Joe Joyce says Luis Ortiz doesn’t want ‘the smoke’ and eyes Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk winner More

LOGAN PAUL is enjoying the sights of London as he plots his next move in boxing.The YouTuber was spotted leaving plus Mayfair restaurant C London with a couple of mystery ladies.
Logan Paul and friends dined at the C London restaurant in MayfairCredit: BackGrid
The group then headed on to Tape NightclubCredit: BackGrid
Logan made time to chat to another couple of ladies who were waiting for a taxiCredit: BackGrid
The next stop was celebrity hotspot Tape Nightclub.
But Paul, who last fought boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition, made time to chat with a two women who were waiting for an Uber.
The Italian eatery is famous for its caviar served with blinis and sour cream.
But 100g would have set Paul, elder brother of Jake, and co back £250.
Starters range from £13 to £28, with a brilliant and varied choice of mains.
Veal kidney with risotto alla Milanese costs £32.50, but if you want to push the boat out the wagyu fillet of beef Rossini is £92.
The restaurant also markets two ‘daily menus’, where the diner can have three courses for £52.
The YouTube might have spent a fair whack at the plush eateryCredit: BackGrid
Logan was pictured with two women in tow on his night outCredit: BackGrid
Everyone seemed to be in high spirits after dinnerCredit: BackGrid
The 26-year-old social media star is ready to return to the boxing ringCredit: BackGrid

Paul surprised many people by going the full eight rounds against Mayweather in Mimi in June.
And the 26-year-old has since claimed he would KO the unbeaten boxing legend if they went 12 rounds.
The elder Paul brother told the True Geordie, he said: “My conditioning is f***ing good, bro.
“If the fight went 10 or 12 rounds, I think I would knock him out. I say that in full conviction.”
The Maverick believes Mayweather was fatigued at the end of the final round.
He continued: “I saw him breathing heavy for the first time that eighth round and it was because I had been leaning on him.
“I’m 30 pounds heavier. Like no matter how you cut it, me leaning on a guy that size is gonna get him tired no matter how good he is.
“I was coming alive too. That’s what we trained for, we sparred for 12 rounds. I’m probably throwing 120 punches by the 12th round.
“My conditioning is good, I had a little ‘uhh’ in the fourth round then second wind came in.”
Paul is eager to return to the squared circle, saying last month: “I have to.”
Sibling Jake is set to fight Love Island star and brother of WBC King Tyson, Tommy, in a grudge match in November.
Last time out, Logan fought against boxing legend Floyd MayweatherCredit: BackGrid
The group seemed to enjoy their trip to LondonCredit: BackGrid
Logan Paul managed to last all eight rounds against MayweatherCredit: Getty
Logan Paul says he knows who his next opponent is More

A MICROWAVE signed by Chris Eubank Jr is up for sale on eBay with bidding already over £6,000.And the kind-hearted boxer has promised to match whatever it goes for and donate the money to a charity of the owner’s choice.
Chris Eubank Jr shared the eBay listing of the microwave he signedCredit: Twitter @ChrisEubankJr
The boxer could barely believe a fan wanted him to sign the kitchen appliance
After attending a press conference last Thursday at St James’ Park for his fight against Wanik Awdijan, he took a stroll through Newcastle.
But after stopping for a number of selfies and the odd autograph, one plucky lad ran up to him carrying the kitchen appliance and bizarrely requested the signature.
The Geordie man, in a black jacket and black cap, provided the Sharpie pen ready and deadpan said: “It’s the only thing I’ve got.”
Eubank Jr could not believe his eyes and initially said: “Nah, not the microwave!”
But then the Sussex scrapper handed over his bag, stayed cool as a cucumber and put pen to plastic.
The microwave has attracted a fair amount of interest since it hit the auction website.

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
The owner added: “Signed microwave by Chris Eubank Jr – signed in Newcastle.
“This is the most famous microwave in the UK.”
The middleweight boxer shared the listing on Twitter, writing: “Been sent a link to an eBay auction thats selling the microwave I signed in Newcastle.
“No idea how much it’ll go for but to make this a more meaningful situation whatever the winning bid is I’ll match it & give the money to a charity of the winners choice.”
Eubank Jr battered Awdijan into submission at the weekend – the German-Armenian pulling the plug on their fight after just five one-sided rounds, claiming broken ribs.
Eubank Jr could hardly believe what he was being asked to do
This is the prize up for grabs – but you’ll need to pay more than £6,000 for itCredit: EBay
Boxing fan asks Chris Eubank Jr to sign his microwave in Newcastle More