Freddie Roach knows exactly what it takes to beat the great Mexican fighter and what it feels like to be second to one who is in his best form.
In the years 2004-2012, Manny Pacquiao fought an unforgettable rivalry covering four fights with Juan Manuel Marquezresulting in 42 rounds of drama and one of the knockouts of the decade.
Roach, who began training Pacquiao in 2001, has seen his fighter defeat Marquez twice while coaching Pacquiao alongside other iconic Mexican champions including Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.
Roach also spent time training perhaps the most eminent name in Mexican boxing history – Chávez – though not “El Gran Campeón” himself. Instead, he worked with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who was unable to scale the extraordinary heights set by his legendary father.
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. remains a popular choice as the greatest Mexican fighter of all time, due to his dominance in three weight classes, his extraordinary record and the way he carried the weight of the nation on his shoulders throughout his career.
However, when asked about his best players regardless of division, Roach made a different choice. In a conversation with New York Timesthe Hall of Fame coach presented his personal list, with another Mexican icon at the top.
“I like Joe Louis. He was the best textbook fighter in the world. Then there’s Ali, who wasn’t a textbook fighter, but would probably beat Joe Louis because of his natural ability. Julio César Chávez. And Ruben Olivares, who I consider the best Mexican boxer ever.
“Salvador Sanchez, who died tragically and cut low a great career. And Sugar Ray Robinson may have been better than anyone else. There are no films in which he fought at welterweight. But you can guess how good he was at that weight.”
Olivares, like Marquez, was defined by his own fierce rivalry, a brutal trilogy with Chucho Castillo in which he won 2-1 between April 1970 and April 1971. Outside of this rivalry, Olivares is considered by many to be the greatest bantamweight of all time, boasting a 23-year career spanning 105 fights.
Tranquil and shy outside the ring, Olivares carried thunder in both hands. His resume includes victories over Olympic champion Takao Sakurai, Lionel Rose and Kazuyoshi Kanazawa. Achievements that confirm Roach’s belief that in a country full of boxing legends, Ruben Olivares is at the top.