Macklin now being trained by Roach

joker77

http://brianpeterspromotions.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=31

European Champ Macklin links up with Freddie Roach

European Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin will link up with new trainer Freddie Roach in Los Angeles next week as he begins preparations for the first defence of his title. Macklin defends his belt against the highly touted Dmitry Pirog in April and he will prepare for the unbeaten Russian at Roach's legendary Wildcard Gym.

Roach is generally regarded as boxing's best trainer and has been the guiding force behind Manny Pacquiao's rise to become the best pound for pound fighter in the World. Macklin believes linking up with Roach could prove crucial as he looks to make an assault on a World title in 2010.
“I spent some time training at the Wildcard at the start of my career and it's always been on my mind to go back there at some point,” said Macklin. “When you see the improvements that Freddie has made with fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan it shows you just how good a trainer he is. The next few years in my career are going to be massive and to have Freddie in my corner will be a huge bonus.

“It's a huge opportunity for me because not only is it a chance to work with the most successful trainer in the world but the sparring over there is unbelievable. The Wildcard Gym is full of champions so everyday you're testing yourself against the very best.”

Roach says he's delighted to have the opportunity to work with Macklin. “I like Matt, he's a good kid with a lot of ability and plenty of ambition,” said Roach. “I've had some good times working with Irish fighters like Steve Collins, Bernard Dunne and Wayne McCullough in the past so hopefully I can have some success with Matt too.

“The middleweight division is wide open right now so I think there could be some big fights out there for Matt. We've got to get past Pirog first though and that's a tough fight so we're just thinking about that right now.”

Following an excellent 2009 that saw him win the British and European titles with a pair of sensational knockouts and an impressive win over Uruguayan Champ Rafa Sosa Pintos in Dublin Macklin is on the cusp of a World title fight with only Pirog standing in his way.

“I've been ticking over and I'll travel to LA next week to start working with Freddie and preparing for the Pirog fight. It's a big fight because as well as being a mandatory defence of my European title we're both ranked in the top ten in the World so it's effectively a World title eliminator as well.”

Macklin had been based in Manchester with trainer Joe Gallagher and admits he will be leaving Gallagher's gym with a heavy heart having enjoyed so much success with him.

“It's bitter sweet to be honest because I'm sorry to be leaving Joe but o his credit he understood that this was an opportunity I had to take. I've enjoyed the most successful spell of my career with him and Joe's been a huge part of that success. He's brought out levels of fitness in me that I didn't even know existed and he's always had the tactics spot on. He's an excellent trainer and I know he's going to go on to become one of the best trainers out there.”

mink_man

good move for him.

Rob113

I reckon its a good move. Roach could really bring him on to another level. Interesting times ahead.

cowzerp

Great, will be good for him...

Big Ears

To be honest I'm both delighted and disappointed by this.
Macklin has improved monumentally under the guide of Joe Gallagher and has looked a completely different fighter since he started training with him.

However Freddie Roach is the best there is and when you look at what he's done with both Pacquiao and Khan you have to start wondering how good could Matt become under his tutelage.

Getting to work with Alex Ariza will be a major plus aswell, Macklin already comes to the ring in tremendous shape and has looked quick, powerful and explosive recently. He should(imo) be even better under Ariza.

Possibly just what Macklin needs to take things to the next level, and be able to think about not just beating Sylvester or Sturm, but maybe the #1 man himself.

He's got a very tough fight ahead of him first though, Pirog is far from a pushover.

Wild_Dogger

I wonder how much personal contact he will have with Roach ??

Freddie is already full up with Pacman , and behind manny there is a queue of dozens of prospects at the wild card .

unknown13

How many trainers has Macklin been with; Woodhall, Gallagher and Graham

joepenguin

unknown13 wrote: »

How many trainers has Macklin been with; Woodhall, Gallagher and Graham

Buddy McGirt.

Big Ears

joepenguin wrote: »

Buddy McGirt.

We're about half way there, lol

Lynch brothers and Peter Harrison(Scott's father) aswell.

magma69

Fantastic news. Now I know his decision may piss a couple of people off but only a fool turns their nose up to a chance at being trained by the world's No. 1. This will definitely improve his chances of getting past Pirog. Still such a hard fight to call, I'm nowhere near as confident as others who think Mack will do the business comfortably.

Boooourns

Any of you hear the Freddie Roach interview on Newstalk radio last night? He mentioned Macklin and Dunne and the whole Pacman mayweather saga, might be on their website. Great interview

djkeogh

Boooourns wrote: »

Any of you hear the Freddie Roach interview on Newstalk radio last night? He mentioned Macklin and Dunne and the whole Pacman mayweather saga, might be on their website. Great interview

I'd be interested in giving this a listen. Any idea which show he was on to narrow down the search?

keane=cock

djkeogh wrote: »

I'd be interested in giving this a listen. Any idea which show he was on to narrow down the search?

it was on off the ball trying to find myself. if you find it try post it. ill do the same

walshb

http://media.newstalk.ie/podcasts/

Best I could get.

Go to the listen back link on the page and scroll down
to "off the ball."

Boooourns

walshb wrote: »

http://media.newstalk.ie/podcasts/

Best I could get.

Go to the listen back link on the page and scroll down
to "off the ball."

Yep that's it, click Tuesday and then click on part 2 and on 07mins40secs where gerry isenberg talks about him and then on 18mins00secs Freddy starts.

keane=cock

walshb wrote: »

http://media.newstalk.ie/podcasts/

Best I could get.

Go to the listen back link on the page and scroll down
to "off the ball."

has this been taken down? i cant get tru

walshb

keane=cock wrote: »

has this been taken down? i cant get tru

I just clicked on the link and then clicked on Listen Back and then went down to Off The Ball and it was there to click and listen to. I haven't listened to it, but it is allowing me to.