Roach: Pacquiao wants Mayweather Jr.
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/15/2008 12:31 AM
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Future hall-of-famer Freddie Roach said People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao wants to meet Floyd Mayweather Jr. to settle once and for all who’s the real pound-for-pound king.
“Manny wants to fight the best and the Mayweather fight is the one he wants,” the outspoken boxing coach said in a report posted on BoxingScene.com.
Roach said that should Mayweather get out of retirement to fight Pacquiao, they would have to agree to meet somewhere below 147 pounds.
“Probably at a catch weight of 143-pounds,” said a confident Roach.
The American trainer, who engineered Pacquiao’s searing victory over 10-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya, said he sees a chink in Mayweather’s armor.
This, he said, can be of Pacquiao’s advantage should they agree to fight.
“Floyd’s a great fighter but he has flaws that we can take advantage of, no doubt about it,” said Roach.
He, however, did not elaborate on Mayweather’s flaws just like he did while he was preparing Pacquiao against de la Hoya.
Hatton: Pacquiao’s mine
Britain’s Ricky Hatton, meanwhile, insisted that Pacquiao will be fighting him next, not Mayweather Jr.
Hatton told The Sun reporter Ali Martin he has earned the right to fight the People’s Champ following his victories over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi.
“I’ve put the hard work in and would like to get the chance to take on Manny,” said the reigning IBF/IBO junior welterweight king.
Before the bout between de la Hoya and Pacquiao, Hatton was widely regarded as the opponent of the Dream Match winner.
“Now he’s beaten Oscar De La Hoya, I’d love Manny Pacquiao to come down and fight me,” said the Manchester native.
However, a possible Pacquiao-Mayweather Jr. match could be in the works. Hatton is not pleased with what he’s hearing.
“I’m not surprised Floyd is considering a return — but I’d be disappointed if he got in ahead of me,” said Hatton.
