Freddie Roach says ‘Shogun’ Rua ‘used to hit like a girl’ before he got hold of him

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As we told you in last night’s Evening News Report, Freddie Roach is currently working with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (21-7), helping prepare him for his upcoming fight against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 161 in June.

Shogun and Lil Nog first fought back in Pride in the 2005 Middleweight GP quarterfinals. In a “fight of the year” battle that went the distance, Shogun walked away with the unanimous decision win.

Despite 18 of Shogun’s 21 wins coming by way of knockout, Roach said he he doesn’t think Shogun was ever taught to punch correctly. In a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Roach talked about the progress Shogun has made with his boxing since he began working with him for this fight:

“He’s punching like crazy right now. He can punch with both hands. But when I first got him he hit like a girl. … He’s really really learning the art of punching, to distribute the weight and so forth, to transfer the weight. He’s a great student, he’s learning.”

Talking specifically about the things he has been helping Shogun with as he prepares him for the rematch against Lil Nog, who is very skilled boxer in his own right, Roach said:

“The biggest thing is he’s fighting a rematch with a southpaw and he doesn’t really understand how to fight a southpaw. Those adjustments were in place, and in a very short time he’s already got what I want him to do and when I want him to do it. He’s a fast learner. He has good people around him. He’s just a real pleasure to work with.”

Rogerio Nogueira is a very accomplished amateur boxer who won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games and won the Brazilian Super Heavyweight Championship in 2006 and 2007 at the South American Games.

If Roach is right about his assessment of Shogun, and the guy scored 18 knockouts and won titles in Pride and the UFC when he “hit like a girl”, it’s kind of scary to think about what he could accomplish once Roach is finished with him.

Who do you like in the Shogun vs. Lil Nog rematch? It will be interesting to see how much his hands have improved. Let’s just hope that rumored knee problem doesn’t hinder his return to the Octagon.

Check out this video we shot of Shogun hitting pads at the UFC on FOX 4 open workouts when he beat Brandon Vera in one of last year’s greatest fights. I thought his hands looked good, but what do I know.

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