Pacquiao - Mayweather will never happen, hints Roach

Freddie Roach has cast major doubt of a fight ever taking place between his fighter Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr by insisting the American welterweight will never fight outside of the United States.

A bout between Mayweather and Pacquiao is what the whole world has been demanding for years following the pair’s ascent to the top of the boxing tree.

And while Pacquiao’s two successive defeats - the most recent a brutal sixth round knockout by Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth showdown in December – has swayed many towards the thought that Mayweather would emerge victorious, it is nonetheless the fight all fans want to see.

However, a revelation by Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum on Tuesday that the Filipino will never fight in the United States ever again due to high taxation, further distanced the chances of the fight taking place.

And Roach believes Mayweather will never fight outside of the States, suggesting that the chance of a meeting between ‘Pacman’ and ‘Money’ will never happen.

Speaking exclusively to Sport360, Roach said: “The one thing about Mayweather is he will never fight anywhere but Las Vegas. He made that clear in the past when we were in talks. So I don’t think a fight between him and Manny could ever happen anywhere but the States.”

Roach made a stunning revelation to Sport360 yesterday when he revealed that Pacquiao had received an offer of $10 million to stage his next fight in Dubai in April.

However, Roach insisted he did not discuss details, instead referring the person to Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum.

While the eight-weight world champion is chomping at the bit to resume his boxing career, Roach is hopeful that he will wait until later in the year before making a return to the ring.

“Manny wants to fight in April, he’s anxious and wants to get back,” Roach explained. “I told him we might have to wait a little while. I want him to wait and rest a bit because that was a bad knockout so I think September would be a better date.

“But if he feels he is ready to fight in April then we’ll get him ready for that.”

There were widespread calls for Pacquiao to retire following his defeat to Marquez last month and the manner in which it was delivered, but the Fillipino has dismissed any talk he could hang up his gloves and has targeted a fifth encounter with his Mexican rival.

And Roach insists he has no concerns over Pacquiao’s well-being, adding: “Manny is in great spirits. We went to Hong Kong on vacation with his family. He is doing fine.”

 

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