LOS ANGELES ? Out of propriety and nothing more, trainer Freddie Roach is asking one of the three judges for the coming fight replaced.
Roach said he has asked promoter Bob Arum to ask the Nevada State Athletic Commission to replace Dick Flaherty as judge in the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight on March 15.
Roach said he has nothing against Flaherty. In fact, it?s their closeness that poses a problem.
Roach said Flaherty is a family friend of his, someone so close to the trainer?s mother.
?It?s not that I don?t like him but he?s a family friend of mine. He?s a close friend of my mother,? said Roach of Flaherty who was named judge along with Duane Ford and Jerry Roth.
While Ford and Roth have worked previous fights featuring Pacquiao, this is supposed to be Flaherty?s first with the Filipino superstar.
Kenny Bayless, who refereed Pacquiao?s second fight against Erik Morales in January of 2006, will be the third man on the ring.
Roach said while there?s enough time, he wants something done, and has asked Arum, the Top Rank president, to do it.
?I don?t want any controversy. Someone might say he?s a friend of someone. So, there might be some changes,? said Roach.
There?s no word yet from Arum whether or not it could still be done.
