Freddie Roach Is Wrong About Pacquiao and Mayweather

Renowned trainer Freddie Roach predicted last week that his fighter, WBO World Welterweight Champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, will eventually battle Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. at some point in the future.

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), the only boxer in history to capture seven world titles in seven different weight divisions, was tentatively scheduled to fight Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) in March before the two camps reached an impasse over drug testing methods.

“I honestly think Floyd does all this stuff just to make the fight bigger,” said Roach, 49, a former pugilist from Dedham who has deservedly been voted Trainer of the Year on four occasions by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

“He’s a great salesman, and I think it’s probably going to work. I think it will definitely happen because Manny’s going to retire this year, he told me.”

Roach is one of the greatest trainers in the history of boxing, and it is mildly comforting to know that he still has confidence that a matchup will occur between the two superstars.

Unfortunately, despite the prospect of a $50 million purse for a Pacquiao-vs.- Mayweather scrap, this will likely be one of the rare instances in which Roach is mistaken in regard to The Sweet Science .

Mayweather, 32, the winner of a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, seems determined to retire undefeated—no matter the cost.

“Money” has avoided Pacquiao like a plague, and he is obviously willing to sacrifice unprecedented riches to maintain his unblemished mark in the ring.

Still, Pacquiao, 31, is not guiltless in this utter fiasco that will inevitably deprive fight fans of a dream matchup.

“Pac-Man” absolutely should have squandered his pride and welcomed Mayweather’s drastic drug measures.

If Pacquiao had accepted Mayweather’s proposed Olympic-style drug testing, he would have been considered a public hero no matter who emerged victorious in their bout.

Ultimately, neither Mayweather nor Pacquiao can be thought of as anything but villains at this juncture.

Somewhat reassuringly, Roach thinks “it will definitely happen because Manny’s going to retire this year.”

Thankfully, hardened boxing fans are accustomed to being disappointed by the sport because negotiations between these stubborn parties will never result in a signed contract.

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