Roach on Pacquiao-Mayweather: “It’s going to happen”
By Izah Morales, Yahoo! Southeast Asia Thursday May 6, 2010 12:13 pm PHT
Boxing fans who have been salivating for megafight matchup between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will finally be able to stop their clamoring.
"Yeah, it's going to happen," said Pacquiao coach Freddie Roach in an interview at Sports Radio 790 The Zone, an ESPN affiliate radio station. He also confirmed "they are willing to meet halfway and will definitely make the blood test after the fight."
Roach has yet to announce when the fight is going to happen. "I just talked to Bob Arum and he is flying to the Philippines the soonest possible time to make Manny the offer and we are trying to make this work as best as we can."
The megafight between the two boxers who both claimed to be the Best "Pound For Pound" Boxer was supposed to take place last March 13.
However, negotiations failed because Mayweather's camp insisted that Pacquiao undergo pre-fight drug and blood testing outside of the Las Vegas boxing commission's schedule. Pacquiao's camp refused to have Mayweather arbitrarily dictate the testing dates.
Instead of a Pacquaio-Mayweather matchup the Pacman fought Ghanian boxer Joshua Clottey on March 13, and Mayweather went on to fight – and defeat – Shane Mosley on May 1.
In a response quoted at ESPN.com, Pacquiao said: "I do not want anyone having an unfair advantage where someone may get hurt. I am willing to do my part to help this sport out." The boxer is currently in the final days of his congressional campaign.
Roach believes Pacquiao would definitely finish off Mayweather. "If Pacquiao catches [Mayweather], he will finish him," said Roach, who assured that he will come up with a perfect game plan.
But the coach is not underestimating Mayweather. "One thing about Mayweather," Roach said a GMAnews.tv report, "he is very good at what he does. He's very clever. He sees well."
A Repost
