There is no love lost between Freddie Roach (Manny Pacquiao’s trainer) and Floyd Mayweather Sr. (father/trainer of Floyd Mayweather Jr.) heading into the May 2nd mega-fight. Floyd Sr. has been very vocal about his discontent for Freddie Roach and how little he thinks of the multiple times “Trainer of the Year” awardee. Roach, who is known to speak his mind without a filter, isn’t afraid to tell you that he doesn’t regard Floyd Sr. with much esteem.
In a radio interview with OnTheRopesBoxing.com, Roach explains why he thinks that the Mayweather family may take issue with him and how it stems from years ago when Roach was a fighter.
“I trained in the same gym with them (Mayweather’s). I’ve known Floyd since he was five years old, he grew up in the gym, he just learned how to fight on his own. He was born in the boxing gym,” Roach said during the OTR radio show.
Roach recalled one instance in the gym that he believes started the dislike between he and Roger Mayweather (Floyd’s Uncle and former number one in the corner).
“Roger was in the gym sometimes, and me and Roger sparred one time and he wasn’t a big puncher when he first came out, when he was 126lbs, and I was 122lbs. We sparred four rounds, and I don’t think I hit him once and I think he hit me a couple of times, but he just ran all night long. The next day he asked me if I wanted to spar again, and I said, ‘No, I already did my roadwork this morning.’ He got mad at me, and we’ve never been friends since.”
Regardless of Roach’s personal opinion, he can admit that Roger is a talented trainer. The fact that Floyd Sr. is in his son’s corner and not Roger is seen as an advantage in Roach’s eyes.
“There’s dislike between us, they’re not my favorite people but I like that the dad is in the corner and not Roger because the dad gets stutters and gets really excited, and he really has trouble getting the information to his fighter out. I think it’s a plus for us, and I think Roger is the better trainer because he’s been there longer, that’s just my opinion at this point.”
You can listen to the full interview at OnTheRopesBoxing.com.
