Legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach has denied rumors linking him to former UFC Women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

The Hall of Famer, who handles boxers Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, belied reports, saying that there was never a formal request for his services to assist Rousey.

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Rousey got knocked out in the second round by Holly Holm at UFC 193, in one of the most shocking losses ever to happen in the UFC circle.

In that fight, Rousey was seen trying to box with Holm, which Roach believes was a big mistake. Obviously without the proper boxing background, Roach says that Rousey would have been better off trying to ground her than to engage in a boxing match.

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Holm is a former boxer who is among the top-tier fighters. She sports a 33-2 record and last boxed in 2013. Aside from that, Holm was armed with kickboxing knowledge which was actually the finishing blow that knocked out Rousey.

"I like Ronda Rousey," Roach said via Boxingscene.com. "She's a nice girl and I wish the best for her, but I think that was a bad choice. She needs more experience in the boxing world. It was probably a mistake just to try that [box with Holm]. She should have just tried to go to the ground. That is my impression of what she should do. But again I'm not an MMA fighter but I know how to wrestle a little bit. That's a tough sport."

Rousey has requested for some more time off, meaning there is no certainty on when (or if) she will ever fight in the UFC again as previously reported by Yahoo Sports. Dana White believes she has every reason to return, which is to avenge her loss to Holm.

Rousey’s time off was a result of changes in the filming schedule for the remake of “Roadhouse”. Aside from that, Rousey is tied up with a lot of commitments in Hollywood.

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