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Rex Tso shows off his title belt last night. Photo: Reuters

Freddie Roach eager to get to work on Hong Kong's Rex Tso's skills

Southpaw's chances of training with Hall of Famer in Los Angeles gets boost with narrow points decision victory over fiesty Filipino

Rex Tso

Legendary American trainer Freddie Roach says he wants to work with Hong Kong star Rex Tso Sing-yu and is surprised it hasn't happened yet.

The Hall of Fame trainer, best known as Manny Pacquiao's coach, said he wants to coach the unbeaten Tso at his Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles, home to many of the Top Rank fighters that include Zou Shiming.

The prospect of Tso, who beat Filipino Michael Enriquez on points in Macau last night, training with Roach has increased significantly after the Wonder Kid signed a two-year deal with Top Rank, guaranteeing him five fights.

At one time, I wanted him to fight Shiming. But then, they told me, 'Freddie, we don't do that over here' because it is not necessary
Freddie Roach 

"I met his new trainer [Jake Verano] and he seems a very young guy and I don't know his background," said Roach, who recently won the Eddie Futch Award for a record seventh time after being named the Boxing Writers' Association of America (BWAA) Trainer of the Year for 2014.

"I like Rex a lot though. We talked about bringing him to the Wildcard [Gym] more than once but it just hasn't happened yet, but I would love to work with Rex, he's a good prospect."

Roach has been following the 27-year-old Tso's career over the years and thinks he can be a star. "He [Tso] does have a future in boxing. He has a good following in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's Rex Tso faces Filipino Michael Enriquez. Photo: AFP

"At one time, I wanted him to fight Shiming. But then, they told me, 'Freddie, we don't do that over here' because it is not necessary. It's not like in America when things happen quickly. They [Zou and Tso] are friendly with each other and they are trying to help each other," said Roach.

"Shiming is the better of the two. He has more experience. But Rex is a very good prospect and he looks really good in his fights and I like the other fighter, K.K. [Ng Kuok Kun, the Macau Kid]. I want to work with him because I see a lot of potential in him. I think he can go places. There are a couple of new guys on the scene, too."

Roach is also in demand in other aspects of boxing and already there is talk of him franchising his Wildcard Gym in China.

"Once this catches on, they were already talking me about franchising gyms [Wildcard] over here. I don't know what franchise means, but I will come work here if you want me to. I have no problem with that. I like being busy," said the 55-year-old.

Michael Enriquez falls after a punch from Hong Kong's Rex Tso. Photo: Reuters
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Roach eager to get to work on Rex Tso's skills
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