A war of words is good for boxing.
Unfortunately for this fight, Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao have kept it underwraps. The reasons are likely threefold:
A) they’re so far along in their careers that they have the utmost respect for one another
B) they’re afraid of having to eat their own words should they lose “The Fight of the Century”
C) they don’t need to talk trash to gain any more attention to the fight.
We’re pretty much at capacity in regards to hype for tomorrow night, so they’ve refrained from much, if any, trash talk. Hell, Pacquiao even said he hopes to be friends with Floyd Jr. after its all said and done.
The same cannot be said for their trainers, however. While Pac’s guy, Freddie Roach, is busy claiming there isn’t any hard feelings, he also had this to say:
“I really don’t hate Floyd Mayweather Sr.,” said Pacquiao’s trainer Roach. “He does get under my skin. He’s trying to do the best he can and I’m trying to do the best I can.”
“He’s a good fighter but he picked his own opponents the whole time,” said Roach. “I have a feeling he didn’t pick this one. I don’t really think he wanted to fight this fight. I think he was forced to fight this fight.”
Mayweather Sr. is, of course, ferociously defending his son in response to Roach’s comments by stating
“We don’t care what they say,” he said. “We are not scared. I’m telling you that. They’re the ones who are scared.”
“I don’t think it will be much of a fight,” he added.
Before going on to say some pretty harsh words regarding Freddie Roach:
“Freddie Roach is a joke with no hope,” he said. “That’s my answer.”
Welp, that got out of hand quickly. This is the type of talk that’s to be expected before a fight, though, and the sport could probably use some more of it.
May 2nd someone will be eating their words. Who you got?
H/T TheScore
