Top trainer Freddie Roach to miss Victory at Venetian boxing showdown in Macau
Ailing Hall of Fame coach sidelined with back problem
Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach will be a notable absentee from the action at this weekend’s Victory at Venetian on the advice of his doctor. Roach, who is coach of Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, will not travel with his entourage to Macau as he rests an ailing back.
The 55-year-old American underwent back surgery earlier this year. His undefeated Chinese protégé “Ik” Yang Lianhui, will challenge Argentina’s Cesar “El Distinto” Cuenca for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight world title at the Venetian Macao Cotai Arena on Saturday.
Freddie’s doctor has advised him to rest and not travel because it’s a long haul from the US to Macau
“Freddie’s doctor has advised him to rest and not travel because it’s a long haul from the US to Macau,” said a tournament spokesman.
It’s the first time Roach, who also suffers from Parkinson’s disease, will miss an event in Macau since Top Rank started co-promoting world-class boxing in the city in April 2013.
Yang (19-0) will be hoping to become only the second Chinese fighter to win a world title as he challenges the Argentinian, who has one of the most astonishing records in boxing.
Cuenca, who hails from Buenos Aires, is 47-0 but with only two knockouts.
