MANILA, Philippines – This early, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is already thinking about security, reportedly making sure he gets a rematch in case he loses to Manny Pacquiao.
The megabuck showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao hasn’t even been finalized, yet according to Freddie Roach, the undefeated American is ensuring he gets a chance at payback in the event the Filipino icon defeats him.
“‘My understanding is that Floyd is insisting on the rematch if Manny beats him, which I believe he will,” Roach said in an article by Jeff Powell of The Daily Mail.
The bespectacled cornerman is confident of a Pacquiao victory over Mayweather, earlier predicting that his ward will knock the brash American out. So a rematch is definitely welcome for Roach.
“That’s okay with us,” added the multi-awarded trainer, who guided Pacquiao to a rout of American Chris Algieri in Macau last Sunday.
Pacquiao’s camp earlier expressed their willingness to give in to some of Mayweather’s possible demands just to make the fight happen, even allowing Mayweather to take the lion’s share of the purse.
Mayweather-Pacquiao remains the biggest fight to be made in boxing, and Pacquiao’s domination of Algieri in a bout that included six knockdowns again fueled calls for the megabuck match.
Pacquiao himself has been more vocal about it than ever before.
“I want this fight and it is time now to give it to all our fans. They deserve to see it,” Pacquiao said after his lopsided win over Algieri.
It is now up to Mayweather, and Roach dared him to prioritize facing the best opponents rather than protecting his perfect 47-0 slate.
“Floyd is afraid of losing his unbeaten record to Manny. But that’s not what defines greatness. [Muhammad] Ali lost, [Sugar Ray Robinson], lost [Sugar Ray] Leonard lost, but they’re still all-time greats. What counts is fighting the best of your era,” Roach said. – Dino Maragay