Freddie Roach has named James Toney as the most talented and gifted fighter he's ever trained. The renowned boxing trainer made this surprising revelation in a recent interview, placing Toney above even the Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao.
Roach, now 64, hails from Dedham, Massachusetts. He had a respectable boxing career himself, racking up 40 wins against 13 losses. In 1986, he kicked off his coaching journey as an assistant to Eddie Fitch. Just shy of a decade later he would establish the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, California.
Over the years, Roach has worked with an impressive roster of fighters. He's trained world champions like Manny Pacquiao, Virgil Hill, Michael Moorer, Steve Collins, Miguel Cotto, and Amir Khan. He even had short stints with Mike Tyson for two of his final three fights and Oscar De La Hoya for his bout against Floyd Mayweather.
But it's James 'Lights Out' Toney who Roach considers the cream of the crop. In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Roach explained:
"Well, Pacquiao I learned a lot from, he's made me a better trainer because he can do things that not everybody can do. But the most talented, gifted athlete I've ever trained is James Toney. He had something you couldn't teach. He was just a natural."
Toney's record speaks for itself. Out of 92 professional fights, he won 77 and lost just 10. Even more impressively, he was never stopped inside the distance. The three-weight world champion was known for his stellar defense that required minimal energy. He used a combination of the shoulder roll, head movement, and sharp counterpunches to frustrate opponents.
Roach expanded on Toney's unique abilities in a separate interview with the Los Angeles Daily News:
"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. He's getting older now and getting hit more than ever. 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."
Toney's list of notable wins includes victories over boxing legends like Evander Holyfield, Iran Barkley, and Michael Nunn.
While Roach's praise for Toney is high, he hasn't forgotten about Pacquiao. The trainer acknowledges that his 20-year partnership with the Filipino boxer made him a better trainer. If Pacquiao decides to make a comeback, Roach might find himself back in his corner once again.
Roach's career has given him the best seat in the house for some of boxing's biggest nights. His assessment of Toney as the most talented fighter he's trained carries significant weight, given the caliber of boxers he's worked with throughout his illustrious career.
