Hall-of-Fame trainers take back seat to Pacquiao, De la Hoya

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya will occupy the main billing.

But that doesn't mean their celebrity trainers don't deserve the star treatment.

Freddie Roach and Angelo Dundee are getting as much attention as their "bosses", their high-profile status adding yet another subplot to The Dream Match on Sunday (Saturday, US time).

Roach, who used to train heavyweight champions James Toney and Mike Tyson, is responsible for molding Pacquiao into the fighter that he is today.

Dundee, who worked the corners of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, was called on by de la Hoya to be his special trainer for this specific fight.

But even though they've had their share of print space and air time in the buildup to The Dream Match, they would rather let their wards be at the front and center.

"I am who I am right now because of Manny Pacquiao," Roach said. "I feel that he's my best work and I'm only good because he's been great."

"Hey, we don’t matter," Dundee added. "Trainers don’t matter. It's the guys on the stool."

Dundee has been exchanging notes with Nacho Beristain, a respected trainer from Mexico who has been tapped by de la Hoya as the lead cornerman.

When asked how far they thought de la Hoya would go, Dundee predicted a decision.

"I noticed (Marvin) Hagler, as great a fighter as he was, had to step before he punched," Dundee said. "Now this kid Pacquiao does that same thing. Oscar will tear him to pieces if he does that."

Roach has maintained that Pacquiao would win via ninth-round stoppage.

"I go through scenarios before I go to bed every night," Roach said. "I can't sleep until I come up with the right ending. And it always ends with Manny knocking him out." - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/137919/Hall-of-Fame-trainers-take-back-seat-to-Pacquiao-De-la-Hoya

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