Trainer Freddie Roach takes some time to talk to Fight Hub TV about Manny Pacquiao’s win over Adrien Broner, and why he’d like to see Pacquiao face Keith Thurman next if he can’t secure a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. Check it out...
Roach on Pacquiao’s performance against Broner:
“We will get better and I would like a rematch [against Floyd Mayweather] right away. I mean, everyone’s healthy, next fight I would love a rematch because we won’t make that mistake again.”
On Broner believing he beat Pacquiao:
“Is he just trying to talk himself into like feeling good or something? I’m not sure but I don’t even know if he won a round to be honest with you. And Pacquiao fought a good fight and I was very happy with his performance and Manny looked really good and I was glad to be there to get the game plan down and to get the game plan on the right track.”
On how Pacquiao’s eye is doing, which got scratched in the fight:
“It was a scratch on top of the eye and the thing is he had a really, really bad cold two days before the fight. Yes, [he fought Broner with a cold]. The thing is, he was sniffling and he was blowing his nose and the press conference — he didn’t look that great at it because of all these factors and so forth...But the thing is, he went out running two days before the fight, it was pouring rain out and cold. And I said ‘Manny, you couldn’t run on the treadmill inside?’ He says ‘Freddie, my opponent might’ve been running so...’
On if his cold affected him in the fight:
“He looked good but he can look much better. He did go in there with a severe cold, he definitely went in there with a cold and he said ‘Freddie, I don’t feel good.’ And I said ‘you said this to be before, do you want me to stop the fight?’ He says ‘No, no, no. I just want to let you know I don’t feel that great.’”
On what Pacquiao’s plans on for future fights:
“Well he told me we’ll take anyone out there. The thing is there’s one guy he really wants, and that’s Mayweather, and he had all intentions of Mayweather maybe taking the fight right away.”
On if they’ve gotten any word from Mayweather’s camp about a rematch:
“No, we haven’t heard nothing yet. But, you know, we have to let them say it — just like last time. You know the drill. But, you know, he is the star though.”
On Keith Thurman:
“I [want Pacquiao] to fight him. The thing is, if we don’t get Mayweather, Thurman’s my second choice. I love him for Pacquiao’s style. I think he’s good for us. Not easy, though.”
On how he breaks down the style match-up:
“Pacquiao is getting better at going forward, pressing people, and that was the best I’ve ever seen him going forward [against Broner] ‘cause the guy was such a runner and I wasn’t sure if he could always pull that off. But he did really, really well. He’s following instructions a lot better, and he’s maturing much more. And this is like the first time he’s ever came into the weigh-in at 147 and we even had to lose one pound to get there.
“We’re in the boxing business to be the best we can, we want the best opponents out there. And since he won he’s one of the better guys out there. But, again, I don’t make those decisions, we’ll make those decisions together as a team.”