Freddie Roach believes Manny Pacquiao will be lost to politics
Given increasing political interest and a tumultuous training camp, Freddie Roach thinks his superstar Manny Pacquiao may be on the verge of quitting the sport that brought him unimaginable success.
"We are going to lose Manny Pacquiao to politics, for sure," Roach wistfully told BBC World Service. “After the first couple of days of training Manny came up to me and said 'I miss my job', and I said
'you're at your job', and he said 'no, I miss Congress'."
Pacquiao has hinted before he is winding down to retirement. After defeating every star fighter thrown at him since 2005, Pacquiao said after he was elected to congress he would only have a few more
fights.
This comes as melancholy news to the boxing world who has been anticipating a fight with undefeated superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the better part of two years.
Analysts predict a fight with Mayweather would be the highest grossing event in the history of boxing.
Two rounds of negotiations came and went, with the first being problematized by blood test demands, and the second by Mayweather’s nonchalant approach to the fight.
While Mayweather currently faces a court date for allegations of larceny and battery, Pacquiao is busy finishing off the first half of his training camp for his upcoming fight with Antonio Margarito.
The two will square off on 13 November to 70,000 people in Arlington, Texas.
Media has been sure not to miss any setbacks suffered by team Pacquiao—and this time around, there has been many.
Roach spoke candidly with BBC commentator Mike Costello in Baguio City, Philippines. “I'm worried about the fight a little bit. We're fighting against a big, strong guy who's going to be in great shape
and we're a little behind schedule which is very unusual [...] I'm not sure if it's the size of the sparring partners that's giving him trouble or he's just not himself yet [...] He’s getting better every day but it’s coming a lot slower than usual.”
Pacquiao looks to win his eighth division title, a feat hitherto unaccomplished in boxing.
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