Roach to Mayweather: Step up, fight Pacquiao!

MANILA, Philippines - Despite having a Hall of Fame career as a boxing trainer, Freddie Roach still hopes for the biggest match in the world: Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In an interview over On the Ropes Boxing Radio, Roach admitted that he still wants his most-prized ward to clash with the still undefeated American fighter.

"I still want the biggest fight in the world, I want Mayweather to step up and fight Manny Pacquiao," said Roach.

The two boxing superstars were recently in a verbal tussle, with Mayweather claiming that the Filipino icon is a “has-been" after his previous back-to-back losses.

Pacquiao, an eight-time division champion, retaliated by saying that Mayweather was “all talk.”

"He said Pacquiao is washed up, get in the ring and we will see!" said Roach.

The Filipino boxing icon is scheduled to have his comeback fight in November 24 when he faces Brandon Rios in Macau.

He suffered two consecutive losses, including a devastating knockout from rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather, on the other hand, successfully retained his WBC welterweight title last May, pushing his immaculate record to 44 wins with zero losses and draws.

Roach said they wanted a rematch against Marquez.

"Manny was looking forward to it, I was looking forward to it, and then he went in a different direction. Hopefully he will fight us back someday, but you know, he chose not to fight us so we had to go with the second choice," he said.

We’re in a tough fight with a tough young guy coming up, it should be exciting though," he said.

The Hall of Famer boxing coach admitted that Pacquiao will be facing a "tough young guy" in Brando Rios, but he also assured that they will have a great strategy in the upcoming bout.

"I know I have the better puncher and I know what type of fight we’re gonna fight in that fight. We’re gonna have a great game plan, we’ll fight to our advantage, believe me, I guarantee that 100%" he said.