Mayweather is one of the greatest boxers of all-time (not the best ever, but his skills has never been questioned). Pacquiao is a great fighter in his own right, but when it comes down to pure boxing ability he doesn’t compare to Mayweather.
I assume what Roach is trying to say is Mayweather is like Roy Jones Jr (before the Tarver punch). A fighter with so much god giving ability, that allows for him to have bad technique, but that would an incorrect assessment. Mayweather is much more like a Bernard Hopkins, someone who has mastered their craft and sees boxing like a game of chess. Because of that it has allowed him to perform at a high level even as he has gotten older.
Here is what Roach had to say.
“I don’t think Floyd has the background or the boxing ability that Manny has,” Roach said in an interview with Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN News. “I think Manny is the much better boxer, because he’s had someone to teach him along the way. Mayweather, I think, he trains himself.”
“He grew up in the ring. He grew up with his uncle (Roger Mayweather) and his dad fighting, but he just became a fighter naturally. He is self-made. But the thing is, he’s never really had anyone teach him how to really box. So (Mayweather) does set traps, but if you’re smart enough, you will see it. And Manny’s smart enough to see it.”
“He does [the shoulder roll] over, and over and over again,” said Roach. “I know when he does it. I showed it to Manny, how to take that away from him. I think Manny has strong legs, and I think that’s the difference with him, too. I think Manny will overwhelm him with movement.”
If it was that easy, I am sure Mayweather would have a loss by now.