Legendary trainer Freddie Roach has worked with some of boxing’s biggest names, but the Dedham-born mastermind only had one answer when quizzed as to which of his fighters was the most naturally gifted.
Roach retired as a fighter with a record of 40-13, sharing the ring with the likes of Bobby Chacon, Greg Haugen and Héctor Camacho, but failing to make a lasting impression on the world stage himself.
However, as a trainer, Roach has made a legacy of his own, working with 40 world champions and being a key reason behind the success of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. As a coach he’s worked with other stars such as Mike Tyson, Amir Khan and Oscar De La Hoya.
When deciding which fighter was the most talented of all whom he has trained, Roach was quick to point to three-division conqueror James Toney, in a recently resurfaced interview.
“Toney is the most natural fighter I’ve ever seen.
“When he says, ‘All you mother F*****s have to train but I was born to fight,’ he means it. The way he moved, the vision he had, to see everything coming at him, he was just so gifted.
“At his peak, though, he’d sit on the ropes and make you miss a hundred punches and come back with counter shots. It was something to watch.”
‘Lights Out’ Toney famously pushed for success as a heavyweight, despite being a former middleweight world champion, and Roach went on to state his belief that the Michigan fan-favourite could have dominated the division if he had more discipline.
“He had no discipline.
“If he had discipline, he could’ve been heavyweight champion of the world and dominated the division. It just didn’t turn out that way.
“I’m not sure why he didn’t get in shape and stay healthy. I guess some guys with that kind of talent just take it for granted.”
Toney got his hands on the heavyweight crown in 2005, only for his decision win against John Ruiz to later be ruled a no-contest after failing a drug test. The following year, he challenged Hasim Rahman for the WBC world title but could only muster a draw.
