MANILA, Philippines - On the eve of Miguel Cotto vs Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, trainer Freddie Roach faced questions on the possible rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Anywhere he goes, the celebrated trainer is asked about his opinion.
Roach believes that the rematch will take place between two of boxing’s biggest stars.
When will it happen? As soon as the money is on the table.
“I don’t see Floyd – and Manny – leaving all that money on the table,” Roach told the Los Angeles Times before the middleweight clash between Cotto and Alvarez today.
Roach trained Cotto for the fight.
The American ring mentor said Pacquiao’s next fight, set April 9 in Las Vegas against an opponent they have yet to name, will be very important.
“Manny needs to fight, win, come out healthy and show the world his shoulder is a hundred percent. If he does, I think we can get Mayweather,” said Roach.
Pacquiao is in no rush to choose his next opponent from among Terence Crawford, Tim Bradley and Amir Khan.
The Filipino superstar, who’s turning 37 on Dec. 17, is wrapping up a long vacation with his wife and friends – from Dubai to Athens to Israel.
Pacquiao, according to the LA Times, will decide on his next opponent early next year, while other reports said it’s coming soon.
Whoever he chooses, Pacquiao must look impressive.
“If Manny looks good, even if it’s $100 million for Mayweather instead of $300 million, that’s a lot of money,” said Roach.
When Pacquiao and Mayweather fought last May, they earned much more than what was originally expected, with over $100 million and $300 million for each of them.
Mayweather, who retired after beating Andre Berto last September, is spending his money like he’s fighting in April or May.
He’s been everywhere in his Gulfstream G-V private jet worth at least $40 million, and just recently he spent $3.5 million on an exotic Bugatti sports car.