Roach accuses Mayweather camp of blocking sparring partners

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach claims that the camp of Floyd Mayweather is paying off potential sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao to dissuade them from helping the Filipino icon prepare for their May 2 showdown.

Speaking to ABS-CBN news, Roach accused Mayweather’s influential adviser, Al Haymon, as the mastermind of the move.

“I'm hiring sparring partners, Al Haymon's people call them up and offer more money for them not to come,” the multi-awarded trainer said.

Roach, however, isn’t bothered by the tactic

“[But] I'm not worried about those guys,” he added.

Pacquiao has began his US training in preparation for the biggest fight of his career, hoping to deal Mayweather his first loss ever after going undefeated for 47 bouts.

The match, which will be staged at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is expected to go down as the richest ever in boxing history. And Pacquiao, Roach insisted, will come fully prepared for it.

Roach said he has already tapped some sparmates for Pacquiao who could simulate Mayweather’s style.

“We got four really good sparring partners for Manny for this fight, Mayweather look-alikes,” the bespectacled cornerman continued. – Dino Maragay