Roach: Pacquiao has more assets than Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines – The latest odds may not reflect it, but Freddie Roach claims Manny Pacquiao has more advantages than Floyd Mayweather heading into their May 2 showdown.

Speaking to Reuters, Roach pointed out that Mayweather no longer has fresh legs that have helped make him an elusive fighter and stay unbeaten for 47 fights.

"I don't think he's (Mayweather) passed it at all. I think his legs are a little shot, a little worn, and I think Pacquiao has better legs at this moment at this time,” the bespectacled trainer told the wire agency.

Other departments where Pacquiao has an edge are speed and power.

“I think maybe Pacquiao is a little faster and hits a little bit harder. Mayweather has a little fragile hands and is not the biggest puncher in the world. But I think we have more assets to win the fight I feel," Roach added.

These advantages aside, Pacquiao is still a slight underdog against Mayweather, although some early bettors see a potential win by the Filipino that they’ve placed bets on him. Boxing observers, for their part, think that if anyone has the skills to hand Mayweather the first loss of his career, it’s Pacquiao.

Roach shares the same sentiment and is confident that his ward will come out on top when they clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"I think Pacquiao is going to win the fight but it's not an easy fight believe me. We have to fight the perfect fight to win, that I know. This is our best opponent by far. This is the biggest challenge of my life and I love a challenge,” the multi-titled cornerman continued.

“And studying this guy he doesn't make a lot of mistakes. He doesn't have any bad habits. He is a very difficult fighter to beat but I think we can beat him yes," he added.

Roach, who is back in Los Angeles from Macau where he worked the corner of Chinese star Zhou Shiming in his fight over the weekend, will take over Pacquiao’s training camp.

For him, the timing of the Mayweather-Pacquiao tussle couldn’t be more perfect.

"I do believe it will live up to the hype at this point. I think it will be a better fight now because Mayweather doesn't move as much as he used to so he has to exchange a little bit more so it does make it more exciting. But five years ago I would have probably favored Mayweather, now I favor Pacquiao," Roach ended. – Dino Maragay