Freddie Roach Sees Manny Pacquiao In New Fighter

Freddie Roach claims he sees a new Manny Pacquiao in his new fighter.

Pacquiao has already cemented his name in the list of all time boxing greats. While it seems a bit of a long shot for a boxer to achieve what the Filipino legend has accomplished in the sport, Roach claims that bantamweight Luis "Pantera" Nery has the ability to win world titles in up to six weight classes, a milestone which a young Pacquiao has done in the past.

In a recent interview with Fighthub TV, the veteran trainer described how great his new pupil Nery has been thus far. According to Roach, Nery is “big puncher” and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world today, Ring News 24 reported.

“The first day on the mitts, I said, ‘This kid is unbelievable. What a puncher’,” Roach said about Nery’s ability.

“He’s a real big puncher. For his weight class, he’s one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world, I feel. He can go all the way,” Roach continued.

Based on Roach’s assessment, Nery is really eager to learn from him. He even noted that everytime he teaches him something, the 24-year-old fighter absorbs it by heart.

“I’m very confident of him, and we’ve been together for a little while in the gym. When I teach him something, he holds onto it, and grabs it with both hands,” Roach revealed.

Roach also thinks that Nery is starting to dominate his division. Just like Pacquiao, Roach predicted that Nery would also win multiple divisions in the future.

“He’s starting to outgrow the division he’s in now and he’s getting bigger and stronger. Like Manny Pacquiao, we did eight divisions. But I think we can do four to six, I feel,” Roach predicted.

This wasn’t the first time Roach discovered a fighter who can possibly follow the blueprint of Pacquiao. Last August, Roach already said that he found the next Pacquiao in Gor Yeritsyan, an undefeated, hard-hitting Armenian welterweight boxer resembles the style and attitude of Pacquiao.

“He just showed up to the gym one day. Gor is a very good boxer and all-around fighter with power in both hands who throws good combinations. He reminds me of a young Manny Pacquaio. He’s been working hard since the first day I met him. I like that in fighters,” Roach said.

“He’s getting better and better every day. He doesn’t take breaks. He doesn’t stop. Work. Work. Work, just like Pacquaio,” Roach added.