Pacquiao camp in turmoil

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 29 Dec 2003, 10:16

The Manila Standard is reporting that Freddie Roach, trainer of Manny Pacquiao, is threatening to quit over a beef with promoter Murad Muhammad. The beef is to do with Muhammad negotiating for Pacman to fight Juan Manuel Marquez. Roach will quit if Pacquiao continues to deal with Murad. Roach said that Murad stole money from Pacquiao in the Barrera fight and also from him (Roach) in terms of his 10 per cent trainer's fee "which should have come off the top."
Roach said that he has been trying unsuccessfully to get in touch with Pacquiao to advise him not to negotiate for a bout with Marquez.
"It doesn't make sense fighting the best guy in the division who is not even well known in the US," said Roach.
Roach said he couldn't understand why Pacman, despite his advice, was prepared to negotiate with HBO, along with Murad, for a Marquez title fight.
Roach said Murad and HBO boss Kerry Davis were "the best of friends" and clearly wanted the fight, for which Pacquiao was initially offered a mere $800,000 by Murad.
Roach said: "Why should he even go to HBO when we can get him $1.5 million for a fight with Johnny Tapia?"
He also said that Barrera would be willing to face Pacman in a rematch.
Roach revealed that the fight against Barrera was a $2 million fight but Pacquiao received only $350,000 when his actual purse was $700,000.
He said there was no sense in taking "another hard fight" after the rigorous training for the Barrera clash which, despite the 11th-round TKO, was a "tough fight for Manny."
"Why fight two tough guys in a row?" Roach asked.
Roach said that Pacquiao should fight Tapia, Scott Harrison or give Barrera a rematch after Barrera has his March tune-up.
"I love Manny. He's a great kid who trains very hard and is an excellent fighter and I don't want to quit. But I'm just gonna have to if this continues," said Roach
He said he had lawyers working for free just to nail Murad for breach of contract over his failure to abide by the full disclosure clause and several other violations of the Muhammad Ali Reform Act.
Roach that pacman has a seven-fight contract with Murad, but there is nothing to prevent Pacman from fighting without the involvement of Murad.
Roach said Pacquiao himself had told him he was not going to fight for Murad anymore.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 29 Dec 2003, 10:34

From what I know of Freddie Roach, he is not outspoken. So for him to come out in public and contest this problem, he must have genuine concern. So therefore I'd advise Pacman to listen to his trainer.

The_Power · Post by **The_Power** » 29 Dec 2003, 11:21

I agree.

Roach is a great guy, and for Manny to lose him would be a disaster.