ROACH: MAYWEATHER IS ALARMED BY PACQUIAO'S VICTORY OVER THURMAN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 02 Aug 2019
Roach (L) and Pacquiao.
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach thinks the latest Manny Pacquiao victory over Keith Thurman unnerved Floyd Mayweather Jr.
According to the American trainer as quoted by International Business Times, Pacquiao's recent vintage performance against previously undefeated Thurman had alarmed Mayweather. The 59-year-old trainer said that he believes that "Manny scared him a little with that performance."
Many observers saw the unbeaten American former welterweight champion left the MGM Grand Garden Arena before the Jimmy Lennon Jr. announced the split decision. Roach added that Mayweather did not stay at the fight until the verdict was declared like "he usually does."
Floyd watched Pacquiao dealt Thurman his first career loss at the ringside. He vanished from the arena just right after the fight before the decision was announced possibly evading an interview and a public challenge from the Filipino icon.
Mayweather out pointed Pacquiao via a unanimous decision win, but after that the fighter-legislator disclosed that his shoulder was injured that time and he kept it a secret. It offended the undefeated champion stating that the Filipino has made it an alibi for his loss.
Since that controversy, several Pacquiao fans have always surmised that the outcome of the fight would have been different without the injury.
The boxing world has been calling an injury-free MayPac 2. Even if it could generate only one-half of the revenues of the original bout, still a rematch could mean a mega fight blockbuster.
"If I think it's possible, Manny does want that fight," Roach told ESPN Deportes. "I was certainly disappointed in the first fight because Manny told me in the fourth round: 'My shoulder hurts, I can't use it anymore' and I told him to 'use it in the best way you can.'
When Pacquiao scored a very impressive win over the former undefeated knockout specialist Thurman, there have been a clamor for a rematch between two elder but still very popular fighters. But Mayweather has been consistently telling the media that he's already retired and no longer interested in another fight with Pacquiao.
The eight division world champion has said that he will fight next year 2020 and concentrate on his senate duties for the meantime. His possible next foe will be the winner of the Errol Spence vs. Shawn Porter WBC and IBF welterweight unification match on September.
"I know Manny can fight much better," added Roach. "Manny really wants the fight, that's why social media interaction," referring to the most awaited rematch of the two legends whose internet barbs were trending lately.
Roach hit Mayweather for declaring that Manny works for him now but reasoned out that Manny said he hasn't seen Floyd's name on any check.
The legendary trainer thought Pacquiao would get called out by Mayweather, but Floyd just slipped away from the fight venue in Las Vegas.
Mayweather has been designated ?special advisor? to China?s national boxing team. He was quoted as saying to ?go all-out to use his influence and resources to support the Chinese boxing project in achieving excellent results at the Tokyo Olympics.?
It was a surprising move for Beijing to hire an American fighting legend to help develop the sport for China which just lifted a 27-year ban on boxing.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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