Whenever anyone talks about Pound for Pound boxing champion Manny ‘pacman” Pacquiao, the name of coach Freddie Roach cannot be far behind. Freddie Roach has been the long time trainer and coach of the Philippines’ pride and joy. Pacquiao, being the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions in his boxing career, has news and gossip following him all around.

Besides issues about his personal life, there has also been some media buzz regarding Pacquiao’s alleged use of PEDs in the boxing ring again. Although this is not something new, there is much talk about Pacquiao using steroids and other PEDs. The issue has refused to die down, especially with the upcoming fight “The Event” on Saturday at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas against Ghanaian champion Joshua Clottey.

The issue of Manny Pacquiao on steroids has bothered sports fans the world over, and they of course turn to Freddie Roach for confirmation or assurance. For the nth time coach Freddie Roach denied all allegations that his prized fighter Manny Pacquio has ever touched steroids or any kind of performance enhancing drug. Roach, however admitted to having knowledge of his two other fighters who had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Roach mentioned that his former boxing fighters Justin Fortune and James Toney were known to have used steroid. Toney in fact tested positive for steroids on at least two occasions.

Roach said that when news first broke that Pacquiao was allegedly using illegal substances, he confronted the 31- year-old fighter asking whether he knew anything about steroids or other prohibited pharmaceuticals. Roach recalled that the answer he got from Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquio clearly indicated that he had little knowledge about the substances, and in fact had less knowledge about steroids than he did. Another clear proof, he said, is the fact that Pacquiao always gets tested for drug use before and after each fight. So far, Roach defended, there has never been an instance that this generation’s most popular fighter had tested positive for anything.

Moreover, Freddie Roach adds that he also had a serious talk with Coach Alex Ariza who handles Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning training. Roach asked him if he had any inkling that the WBC Super Flyweight Champion of the World was doping – and the answer he received was a firm and confident NO.

This is not the first time that the issue of steroid and drug use has been raised against the Filipino champion. However, as with all other controversies, they eventually die down after Pacquiao scores another victory. With seven prestigious titles under his belt and another big match coming up on Saturday, it is no wonder that tongues are wagging about Pacquiao and steroid use in an effort to discredit or psych Manny out. The goods news is that people close to Pacquiao, as well as his legions of fans the world over continue to believe that the issue of Manny Pacquio on PEDS is nothing but pure allegations with no substantial basis.

More importantly, Pacquiao’s opponent, former IBF Welterweight Champion Joshua Clottey, has already issued a statement indicating that he himself did not believe allegations that “Pacman” is using PEDS. On Saturday, hundreds of millions of boxing fans get ready as Pacman goes against Joshua Clottey for the boxing event of the year at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, TX.

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