Trainer Freddie Roach has ordered Manny Pacquiao?s sparring partners to stay away from media interviews until the fight between his prized pupil and undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada was over.
?All of Manny?s sparring partners have signed non-disclosure agreements and cannot do interviews,? Roach told The Manila Times in an interview facilitated by Top Rank Promotion publicist Fred Sternburg on Tuesday.
Roach was pertaining to Pacquiao sparring partners Kenneth Sims Jr. and Dashon Johnson.
?I would prefer not to discuss specifics on Manny?s sparring partners until after the fight. We have to keep everything secret especially the game plan,? Roach added.
Roach explained that Sims and Johnson were picked because of their fighting attributes that would sharpen Pacquiao in his fight against Mayweather.
?Manny?s sparring partners have all been selected to hone specific weapons in Manny?s arsenal,? said Roach.
Sims, 21, boasts of 5-0 fight record as a boxer.
Johnson, 27, holds a 15-19-3 (5 knockouts) record as a pug. He is not only a boxer but also a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. Also known as ?Flyboy,? Johnson holds an MMA record of 9-2-0. Johnson previously fought in the Xplode Fight Series and Ultimate Fighting Championship.
?Just letting you know I will not be answering any questions at this time. Manny has personally asked everyone to keep all media and questions and things similar away at this time. Sorry for the inconvenience,? Johnson said when contacted by The Manila Times for an interview.
