Coach Freddie Roach can be the most genial of companions. But the Dedham, Mass., native does have the proverbial Irish temper.
And it was apparent at Madison Square Garden Wednesday as Manny Pacquiao’s beloved mentor discussed the continuing allegations out of the Floyd Mayweather camp about Pacman cheating by using banned drugs.
Roach agreed that the allegations and the implications thereof have put a cloud over the Pacman image.
“I am still pissed off just thinking about it,” Roach said.
Roach, who described SugrarShane Mosley as “a friend” and said Mosley will beat Floyd Mayweather if they fight, seemed surprised when I mentioned that Mosley was quoted as labeling Megamanny as “questionable” on the drug aspersions.
“That’s why Manny Pacquiao is sueing people, That’s why there’s a lawsuit because of what people, including Golden Boy, did. There’s no proof on this. Manny has taken all the tests and passed them all along. All this is without foundation.
“Yeah, we’re pissed about it. These people, including Golden Boy, made a big mistake on this.”
Then Roach returned fire at Mosley who admitted under oath to using banned substances before his second bout against Oscar de la Hoya. Mosley continues to claim he did not know the drugs he obtained from the notorious Victor Conte were illegal.
“We’re not the ones who went to BALCO, Shane Mosley did,” Roach said. “This is such a shame. I know my fighter and I know he is clean.”
Roach asserted that Pacman-Clottey March 13 in Dallas will be more enthralling than a Manny-Floyd fight could ever be.
“That’s not a fight fan’s fight and this fight is.”
