Others may have thrown in the towel but Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach refuses to quit.
I just spoke to the celebrated trainer who was at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
Coach Roach said he was burning up the phone lines to the Philippines to reach his most famous charge.
Roach is well aware that Pacman has repeated his demand for a 60-40 revenue split for a May 2 fight against Ricky Hatton.
His mentor respectfully disagrees and he wants to repeat that theme to Megamanny.
“I don’t really think this is Manny talking on this,” Roach said. “I think it’s some of the people around him. I haven’t spoken to Manny since the day he left to go back home but I am going to tell him again that 50-50 is a good deal and this is the right fight at the right time.
“I don’t think Manny should let this fight with Hatton go by. That’s what I will say to him.”
On another topic, the just announced Marco Antonio Barrera-Amir Khan crossroads fight which will go March 14 in the UK, Roach said he is very comfortable with this step up in opposition for the young British boxer who he now trains.
“I approved the fight with Barrera,” Roach said. “Barrera is not what he used to be, especially now at 135 pounds. Obviously, I know a lot about Barrera from his fight with Manny and from watching him his whole career.
“I watched his recent fight in China and I am comfortable with this fight now for Amir. I mean, if Amir can’t beat this kind of guy at this point, then maybe he’d be better off going out and getting a job. I just think the speed and youth of Amir will be too much for Barrera to handle.”
