The one question that Freddie Roach has been asked more than any other throughout his career has revolved around a possible Mayweather-Pacquiao bout, and while the fight has been hyped up as much as it could be, it still has not happened. The biggest issue that seems to stand in the way of the bout these days is the promotional cold war that has yet to see Goldenboy & Top Rank work with each other for several years. Manny Pacquiao becomes a free agent at the end of 2014 and many fans wonder if this is the break that?s needed to make the fight finally happen.
In the third and final part of my interview with Freddie Roach, I get his views on the possibility of Pacquiao being a free agent and potentially making a Mayweather bout. I also get his thoughts on Mayweather?s future and how he thinks the legacy of both fighters will be affected if they don?t face each other. Additionally I get Roach?s breakdown of the upcoming Pacquiao-Bradley II fight, and his official prediction for April 12th rematch. Here is what Freddie Roach had to say.
Jenna J: I?m curious, what are your thoughts on the whole Mayweather drama? He was supposed to fight Khan, then he chose Marcos Maidana. What did you make of that whole situation?
Freddie Roach: Well the thing is they are running out of opponents and I think somewhere before the last fight in his contract, he?s gonna have to cross over and fight Pacquiao. So you know, Top Rank, Showtime, Golden Boy, HBO and all that ? the pool?s getting smaller, so someone?s gonna have to give in pretty soon because there are no opponents in the future. Pacquiao is available and waiting, and if he doesn?t have an opponent we?re definitely willing to fight him.
Jenna J: Pacquiao at the end of the year becomes a promotional free agent. As a trainer would you like him to stay in the neutral area that Miguel Cotto is in, to try and make these bigger fights with other organizations?
Freddie Roach: Well, that?s a great idea and so forth and I think it could work very well but then going into a fight with Mayweather, negotiation wise we need someone real professional and Arum is the better deal I think for Pacquiao. The thing is, that?s really Manny?s decision which way he wants to go with that and after this fight we?ll have an option of going on our own or resigning with Top Rank.
Jenna J: Freddie, big question here. Do you think the legacies of Mayweather and Pacquiao will both be affected if they don?t fight each other before the end?
Freddie Roach: Yes there will be a question mark. Mayweather wants to retire undefeated and there will be that question mark of why didn?t he fight Pacquiao? And the thing is we?ve done everything possible to make that fight happen on our end.
You might get some people being skeptical about why they didn?t fight but I think it will hurt Mayweather more than us because he?s the one that?s so proud of his undefeated record, but he didn?t fight the best challenge and that?s Pacquiao.
Jenna J: Back to Pacquiao?s fight with Timothy Bradley. What do you expect to happen from the opening bell to the finish?
Freddie Roach: Well you know, I think we?re gonna be aggressive and I think if Manny hurts him, he will open up and he will stay on him. I think it?s gonna be a good fight because Bradley is one of the toughest guys in the world, for sure. He fights with concussions and so forth.
I?m very positive, Manny beat him easily last time, he beat him ten rounds out of twelve last time. Why those judges had it scored that way, we?ll never know but I told Manny to give the people what they wanted and to start giving them knockouts and if we do hurt him we will finish him.
Jenna J: Freddie, it has been five years since a KO has happened for Pacquiao. As his trainer, how badly do you wan to see him land that KO?
Freddie Roach: Well Bradley told Manny that he?s lost his killer instinct and that he doesn?t have it any more. Manny feels like that was a little slap in face and I?m looking forward to Manny knocking this guy out. I think Manny is looking forward to it also ? to show the world that he is a still a great fighter, a great puncher.
He?s been a little bit compassionate in some of his fights, yes, but I feel that he does have his killer instinct and he?s been showing it here in the gym. I think that he?s finally realized that it?s not just winning, it?s winning impressively that counts.
Jenna J: Final question. On April 12th, what kind of fight can the fans expect? Bradley vs. Pacquiao 2?
Freddie Roach: Well Pacquiao?s gonna be a little more aggressive than usual and it?s gonna be action packed. Of course, Bradley when he does get hit, he does like to exchange. I think it?s gonna be a great fight and I wouldn?t miss this one. It will be a good fight, action packed and I feel Pacquiao will finally get a knockout win.
