How can Freddie Roach improve Alex Arthur?

[bennie]

The highly respected trainer Freddie Roach, now coaching British super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur, gives his synopsis on what it takes to improve a fighter like Arthur, who later this month takes part in arguably his toughest fight to date against Michael Gomez.

Freddie said: "All the really great pro champions, such as Oscar De La Hoya, had brilliant amateur careers behind them before becoming pros and so had Alex. It shows in the quality of his ring work, despite the fact he has had less than 20 bouts.

"That’s why I haven’t come to change Alex Arthur’s basic fighting style but to work on his weaknesses.

"When I was a world-rated featherweight I once decked former world featherweight champion Bobby Chacon twice but let him off the hook and Chacon went on to beat me.

"In this connection I’ve noticed that Alex didn’t finish off South African Patrick Malinga as quickly as he could have done so I’ll be working on ensuring that he improves this aspect of his style.

"I’ve worked at making 16 guys into world champions from light-heavyweight Virgil Hill in 1987 to Irishman Steve Collins, and I worked with Mike Tyson when he beat Clifford Etienne in February.

"But all boxers have faults that can be improved on.

"I was trained in my boxing days by the great Eddie Futch who had a history of helping world champions such as world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier and he taught me exactly what my approach to working with someone like Alex Arthur should be.

"Firstly, don’t try to change a fighter’s natural style but take the weak spots and try to improve on them.

"That’s why I will be working on Alex doubling and tripling that destructive left hook body punch of his. Also, when he throws combinations I’ll work on showing him how to keep his head moving more from side to side. I’m also going to work on Alex cutting off the ring.

"For Alex to win a world title would be a dream but for me, brought up by my dad to idolise Edinburgh lightweight great Ken Buchanan as I was.

"I’ve talked about Alex’s weaknesses but hey - how about his strengths?"

"I’m talking about dedication, for when I worked with Mike Tyson for the Etienne fight, he sparred a total of 12 rounds, yet Alex sparred 72 rounds for his fight with Willie Limond last time out. That proves to me just how dedicated Arthur is, how hungry he is for the success I’m confident that I can bring him."

[Lugh]

Completely cool!

I love Freddie Roach, especially the fact that he represents a sort of recepticle (Damn sure thats not how you spell it) for the decades of distilled knowledge of Eddie Futch.

He always seems to be a genuine enthusiast and I love the idea of Arthur (who appears to be a bright lad) picking up some of the finesse and refinement and (who knows) bringing it over to UK gyms in the future.

[Goz]

Will be interesting to see if Roach helps Arthur. It's actually good to see a fighter who feels that they could do with a change of trainer, doing something about it pre-emptively instead of waiting until someone knocks them out.

[DIRT SUGAR]

Good to see the knowledge being passed from the late Futch to someone like Roach and I think he made a good point about Arthur's head movement. Alex is a too straight up and needs to slip more punches but he can do this. Remember on the FW site there was a clip of him dodging about four punches, really good defensive movement.

I know Alex has mentioned back trouble – a family trait – so maybe he needs to work on flexibility and work to keep supple and no doubt about it, if you're back's not right, boxing's not a sport where you can hide that kind of problem.

IMO Arthur's a talented fighter with a good array of punches, good power, articulate and his confidence is a plus, he's just a bit upright. Reminds me of Alexis Arguello in some ways.

[Hut*Hut]

The very first time I saw Arthur it struck me that he hardly moves his head at all, and it hasn't changed.. He comes forward in line like an ironing board.
Roach could sort that out.