Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Joshua Clottey this weekend in the first boxing match at Cowboys Stadium, in Dallas, Texas. This will be Pacquiao’s first fight since defeating Miguel Cotto in November. Clottey’s last fight was also against Cotto, in June of last year, a fight Clottey lost.
While hotly anticipated in its own right, this match is still haunted by what could have been. It appeared Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., had an agreement to fight what might have been the biggest match in decades, but the deal fell apart over blood testing and money squabbles.
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, joined ESPN Radio in Dallas with Galloway and Company to talk about this weekend’s fight and to address rumors about Pacquiao’s retirement. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
Manny Pacquiao (right) works out with trainer Freddie Roach (left). What is it like preparing for a fight in a stadium?
Roach: It is a little bit different. We’re used to the Vegas-type atmosphere, but this is going to be a great change. It’ll probably be the biggest crowd we’ve ever fought in front of.
Why did Pacquiao’s camp pick Joshua Clottey, as opposed to somebody else?
Roach: We had to pick somebody credible, of course, because of the disappointment that we lost that Mayweather fight. This guy is number one in the world. A lot of people thought he beat Cotto, and he is the most dangerous guy out there.
The thing is for Manny Pacquiao, right now, we need challenges. If we don’t have a challenge in front of us, it’s not worth it. Manny wants to beat the best, and fight the best, and that’s what we’re doing.
Did Pacquiao have a lackluster camp because he wasn’t preparing for Mayweather?
Roach: No. Pacquiao doesn’t take anyone lightly. Condition-wise, work ethic-wise, it’s the exact same as anyone in the world… as if we were fighting Mayweather or anyone else. He doesn’t take anyone lightly.
The only thing that changed was the game plan a little bit, the strategy for the fight, and the sparring partners were a big change, of course. It’s a different game plan, basically, but motivation-wise it’s not a problem.
If both Pacquiao and Mayweather win, will they fight each other?
Roach: We have to. Where else are we going to go? We can fight [Edwin] Valero. We can fight [Juan Manuel] Marquez again, but all those fights mean nothing to the public. Everyone wants to see Mayweather-Pacquiao. That fight has to happen, and I can’t see it not happening. Too much money involved, too much at stake, and boxing needs that fight.
Is Mayweather afraid to take his first loss?
Roach: I think he’s afraid of getting that first loss. I don’t think he’s quite the fighter that he once was. He was a good fighter at one time, but you look at the [Ricky] Hatton fight, where he struggled for six rounds before the knockout. Then he struggled with Oscar [De La Hoya] throughout the fight, and Manny demolished both guys.
I don’t think he’s quite the fighter that he used to be at 135 or 140. At 47 and 54, he’s not as effective and not as fast, of course. I think I have the right style to beat him, but it’s a very difficult task, though, because he is very smart at what he does.
Might Pacquiao retire after this fight?
Roach: Only if Mayweather doesn’t come to the table. The thing is, that’s the fight that we want. Get Mayweather in the ring, and I want Manny to finish on top and that would be it. But the thing is, the Mayweather fight has to happen first before we retire for sure.
