Freddie Roach Denies Steroid Use by Manny Pacquiao
A former professional boxer, Freddie Roach has not fought competitively since retiring in October 1986.
But during an exclusive interview with FanHouse from Los Angeles on Tuesday, the 2009 Trainer of The Year seemed as if he was ready to lace up the gloves and go after rival trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Hearing for the first time that Mayweather Sr. has implied that steroid use had contributed to the rise in weight of Manny Pacquiao, his No. 1 fighter and boxing's 2009 Fighter of the Year, Roach fired back, among other things, "Where in the hell did that come from?"
Floyd Mayweather Sr., whose son, Floyd Jr., is an undefeated six-time champion over five weight classes, told Michigan's Grand Rapids Press "I think they're pushing Pacquiao too much -- even if he's got 'roids in his body."
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 knockouts) will take on Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at a catchweight of 144 pounds.
Marquez has a loss and a draw against Pacquiao, who has stopped both Oscar De La Hoya and former champion Ricky Hatton -- fighters Mayweather defeated by decision and 10th-round knockout, respectively, before retiring 21 months ago.
Mayweather, whose fight opposite Marquez is his comeback bout, insists that he still should be considered boxing's best fighter, pound-for-pound, upon his return.
But Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), a Filipino who will go after the World Boxing Organization welterweight (147 pounds) title owned by Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) on Nov. 14, begs to differ.
Pacquiao spent some time earlier this month filming a movie in his native Philippines in which he plays a superhero named Wombat Man, whose powers are a combination of those of Superman and Spider-Man.
Pacquiao said that he will require all of his skills against Cotto, whom he called "a very good fighter," adding, "I'm not going underestimate him."
Source: Lem Satterfield (boxing.fanhouse.com)
But during an exclusive interview with FanHouse from Los Angeles on Tuesday, the 2009 Trainer of The Year seemed as if he was ready to lace up the gloves and go after rival trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Hearing for the first time that Mayweather Sr. has implied that steroid use had contributed to the rise in weight of Manny Pacquiao, his No. 1 fighter and boxing's 2009 Fighter of the Year, Roach fired back, among other things, "Where in the hell did that come from?"
Manny's Counter-Punch: 'Maybe They're Using Steroids'
Hours before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at San Diego's PETCO Park before the Padres' baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, reigning Fighter of the Year Manny Pacquiao directed a vocal counter-punch at trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.
"Maybe all of them -- they're using the steroids, and not me," said Pacquiao, responding to -- and hearing for the first time -- implications by Floyd Sr. that he might have used steroids.
"You know what? I don't even know what a steroid is," said Pacquiao. "I've never done that."
Floyd Mayweather Sr., whose son, Floyd Jr., is an undefeated six-time champion over five weight classes, told Michigan's Grand Rapids Press "I think they're pushing Pacquiao too much -- even if he's got 'roids in his body."
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 knockouts) will take on Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at a catchweight of 144 pounds.
Marquez has a loss and a draw against Pacquiao, who has stopped both Oscar De La Hoya and former champion Ricky Hatton -- fighters Mayweather defeated by decision and 10th-round knockout, respectively, before retiring 21 months ago.
Mayweather, whose fight opposite Marquez is his comeback bout, insists that he still should be considered boxing's best fighter, pound-for-pound, upon his return.
But Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), a Filipino who will go after the World Boxing Organization welterweight (147 pounds) title owned by Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) on Nov. 14, begs to differ.
"Floyd Mayweather was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter before, but not anymore," said Pacquiao, who is trained by Freddie Roach. "I'm not going to say that about myself. I'll leave that up to the fans and someone else to decide." --- Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao spent some time earlier this month filming a movie in his native Philippines in which he plays a superhero named Wombat Man, whose powers are a combination of those of Superman and Spider-Man.
Pacquiao said that he will require all of his skills against Cotto, whom he called "a very good fighter," adding, "I'm not going underestimate him."
Source: Lem Satterfield (boxing.fanhouse.com)
Post a Comment