FightBeat.com: You were recently named trainer for Oscar De La Hoya in is his upcoming bout with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Tell me about hiring process.

Freddie Roach: We just met and we just talked about strategy, and basically that was about it.  I guess he liked what I had to say and how I think he should fight this guy, and he agreed with me.  I told him a lot depends on, of course, what Mayweather shows up, if he’s the runner, or the guy who lays on the ropes? Or the in and out guy?   

I think he is gonna be the in and out guy, score and get out. But were gonna have a good game plan for this guy.  We’ll have a plan A and a plan B and be ready for whatever this guy brings.

FB: Can you give us any hints as to what plan A and plan B are?

FR: Obviously we’re the bigger, stronger person.  We’re gonna use our strength and be a little meaner, a little aggressive and not so nice because I want Mayweather to know that it’s a fight. We’re gonna put that in his face in the first round.  That’s the statement we have to make.   

Obviously we’re not gonna out box Mayweather, that’s his game. We just got to make him fight our fight a little bit.  Obviously it’s not an easy job, of course. We’re gonna set traps for him, bait him in. It’s definitely possible. I see some flaws in some of his work. Speed is a great asset and a tough thing to beat. But we have a little bit of speed also and we have a lot more power than he has.

FB: You're also training (Manny) Pacquiao.  Is he going to Puerto Rico to train with you for his upcoming bout with In Jin Chi?

FR: They were talking about it but I heard Chi fell out. Now they have a South African opponent and the guy is 16-6 or something like that. How you gonna sell that?  Bob Arum should spend more time on getting Pacquiao's fight together than trying to get me fired. I mean we are supposed to be on the same team getting this guy ready for a title fight and he called me an idiot. But you know, oh well. That’s the way it goes sometimes.  

It’s just me and Pacquiao have been through everything together from court cases to people stealing money off him. He is like my son and Arum trying to get me fired is probably a waste of time or I hope it’s a waste of time.  

We need to work together as a team to get him ready for the fight, whoever it may be. If it does happen because Manny is running for governor now and I hear a lot. I don’t know. So Macau, I’m just not sure that’s going to happen at this point.

FB: Is there any news regarding Pacquiao’s promotional contract?

FR: Both lawsuits have been filed. I was at the Golden Boy signing; Arum thinks I delivered Pacquiao to get the Mayweather fight. The Mayweather fight wasn’t even talked about yet, but anyway… the thing is I introduced him to Golden Boy because they had an offer to make. You have to listen to all offers. Arum made his offer. Golden Boy made their offer and at the time they made the better offer. Then Arum countered with another offer later on down the line.  I'm not a lawyer. I'm not gonna pretend to be one.  I’m not sure who is gonna win the case. The only reason I went with Golden Boy is because they had the better opponents.

FB: What’s your prediction for May 5^th (De La Hoya vs. Mayweather bout)?

FR: It’s a must win situation. I told Oscar we’re gonna do everything it takes to win this fight, and I think if he fights the right fight I think he can knock this guy out.  

Closing comments: It's clear Bob Arum would like to keep Pacquiao as far away from de la Hoya as possible until the contract issue is resolved. Word is Bob Arum is to travel to the Philippines to meet with Pacquiao and discuss his next fight. But after listening to what Freddie Roach had to say, we all may be in for a big surprise. - MG

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Woodland native Vicente “Chente” Escobedo returned to a hometown crowd of 2,191 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA Thursday night, dominating Priest “Tiger” Smalls in his first ten round affair. The former US Olympian, considered by many as the heir apparent to promoter Oscar De La Hoya’s “Golden appeal”, won by official scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 99-91 in their junior lightweight bout.   

Escobedo (13-1, 11 KO) spent the first half of the fight stalking the defensive-minded Smalls, looking to establish a jab and winning rounds with occasional combinations.   

By the eighth round “Chente” was clearly in control and upped pressure in the remaining rounds.  Smalls (18-13-1, 6 KO) managed to get in some lead rights, enjoying mild success when electing to let his hands go. As the scorecards indicated, those moments were few and far between. 

A shame as Escobedo’s improved but still leaky defense could’ve been exploited by a more offensive-minded fighter. Golden Boy matchmaker Eric Gomez seemed to agree. 

“I saw some improvements, he had some good things going on,” suggested the always approachable Gomez. “But he still needs a lot of work.” 

Another factor to consider was the style matchup.  

“It was a little bit of a different look. Vicente has been facing a lot guys that come forward lately and this something a little different.  I think what I really liked about Vicente was like right around the fifth or sixth round something clicked and he figured him out he started getting his rhythm down, and started cutting off the ring and letting his hands go a little more.  I think that helped him and he caught “Tiger” Smalls with some good shots and he looked like he hurt him a bit.  But it was good. It was a good performance overall.”

Escobebo agreed – at least about the performance being a good one. 

“I felt good, ready,” said the junior lightweight prospect. “He was a well-schooled opponent, you know. He came to fight and obviously has the record and experience over me. He showed it tonight and I give it up to him.  You know I went ten rounds and proved that I can go the distance. 

“We were trying to improve on my defense and get the jab started early.  Which I tried to but it was kind of hard because he was taller and I was reaching a little bit.  But you know it’s a learning process and you learn from your mistakes.”

His new trainer, Freddie Roach was also pleased by his pupil’s performance.  

“I thought he looked real good, he got a little awkward opponent. But he did well and his head movement is better, and his defense is better.  A little more feints, a little more working behind the jab.  But I was happy.”