Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, has launched a scathing attack on Floyd Mayweather, calling the American fighter “A” for arrogant and claiming that he “ran out of road” and was forced into the fight with Manny Pacquiao by “Manny, the media and the fans”.
Roach also claimed he would not be surprised if Mayweather “pulled out now” from the ?272million superfight scheduled for May 2 in Las Vegas.
Apart from a media workout this week, Mayweather has been diligently preparing for the biggest fight of his career and has had few derogatory remarks to say about his opponent.
The respect between the two boxers is clear, but Roach did not hold back.
“He didn’t want this fight,” Roach said. “He can pretend it was a strategy to build up the fight’s value but that’s not true. For once Mayweather wasn’t able to handpick his opponent. He was forced to take this fight by Manny, the media and the fans.”
“Mayweather ran out of road,” he added.
“Mayweather is a different ‘A side’ now, and you can guess what the ‘A’ stands for,” Roach told ESPN. “He was late for his media workout, leaving major media outlets scheduled to go live with dead air. How selfish is that? It doesn’t take a lot to figure out why everyone is rooting for Manny.”
“Just look at which fighter has the most endorsements going into this fight and why,” Roach said. “When Manny beats Mayweather, it won’t only be about unifying the welterweight titles, it will also be a public service to boxing.”
Roach claims that Mayweather held back from announcing the fight because “he wanted all the attention”.
“Mayweather may be two victories shy of tying Rocky Marciano’s [49-0] record, but I can assure you Mayweather’s party will end on May 2 and Marciano’s record will remain just that ? the record,” Roach said.
“And Mayweather will forever be known as Mr 47 and one.”
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Roach added: “This fight is much bigger than when Manny fought Oscar De La Hoya. Manny is a different person going into this fight.
“He hit me so hard the other day that I believe it’s the hardest I’ve ever been hit by a fighter who I’m training.
“I don’t believe that Floyd ever wanted this fight, he was forced to take it by the public and the media. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd pulled out now.”
Manny Pacquiao battles with Oscar de la Hoya in 2008
Pacquiao, meanwhile, speaking from his Los Angeles training camp, said yesterday: “I feel very excited for the fight. My entire career defines my legacy; I have already accomplished great achievements in my career while excelling in different weight divisions. This fight is an additional achievement in my career; it’s the biggest fight in boxing history.
“I can say that beating Floyd would be the biggest victory of my career. More people are interested and informed about this fight now than they would’ve been five years ago.
“Style wise, I am the same fighter I was five years ago. My determination, inspiration and killer instinct is the exact same as it was five or six years ago.
“For me, boxing is my passion. I enjoy boxing and giving honor to my country of the Philippines. My concern is to bring an exciting fight to my fans. My first concern going into every fight is how will be to be able to entertain my fans, give them enjoyment and make them happy.
“The reason I am so loved by fans is because of my reckless style of fighting. People like exciting fights with actual punches being thrown.”
