Roach puts money on the line for Hoya fight

As the possibility of a Manny Pacquiao-Oscar dela Hoya fight remained, trainer Freddie Roach has once again assured a victory by the Filipino superstar — if the fight ever takes place.

“I hope this fight happens. Manny should take the fight. It’s the best fight out there,” Roach told Boxing Herald a day after negotiations for the dream showdown came to a halt.

Roach is so confident of a Pacquiao victory that he’s putting his money on the table.

“Some people think I’m doing this for financial reasons. I always look after Manny Pacquiao’s best interest. I love Manny as a son. If Manny loses this fight I don’t want any money,” said Roach.

As Pacquiao’s trainer, Roach gets 10 percent of the boxer’s purse. That means a lot of money, if ever the fight pushes through and the Pinoy pound-for-pound king can get as much as $20 million.

“I don’t need the money. I told Michael Koncz (Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser) if Manny doesn’t win I don’t want the money. I’ll sign a contract for that if Manny wants me to,” he said.

Negotiations for the fight set Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, hit a snag last Wednesday after Dela Hoya stood firm in his 70-30 offer to Pacquiao who wants as much as 60-40.

But Dela Hoya himself told scribes in the US yesterday that negotiations are still on, and asked Pacquiao to look at the money he can earn for this fight, and not the percentage, which the contract would dictate.

Dela Hoya said 30 percent of everything would still amount to the biggest paycheck ever for Pacquiao, an amount which the latter can’t earn in three or four fights against the Humberto Sotos or the Edwin Valeros.

Reports said 30 percent could mean more than $15 million for Pacquiao. Floyd Mayweather fought Dela Hoya last year, agreeing to 30 percent and ending up with around $20 million in his pocket.

Roach said Pacquiao can do the same.

“We’re still trying to get 60-40 or 65-35. It’s a lot of money, yes. But what’s important is what it does to his career,” Roach told Brad Cooney, adding that once Pacquiao beats Dela Hoya, up next could be a fight with Ricky Hatton or the-now-retired Mayweather himself.

“What’s important is what’s best for his career. It takes him 10 times as popular (if he beats Dela Hoya),” said Roach.

Then Pacquiao can ask for the moon.