Pacquiao’s ‘dislike’ for Mayweather drives him in training

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach has never seen Manny Pacquiao train this hard for a fight.

The Filipino icon’s longtime cornerman has been with Pacquiao for more than a decade, but it’s only now that he noticed something in Floyd Mayweather Jr. that makes his ward prepare like he’s never done before.

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In a report by Eddie Alinea that was published on Philboxing.com, Roach said that while Pacquiao isn’t showing it, the way he is training right now proves his dislike for Mayweather, whom he fights on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“I can see it in his eyes, in his body movement, his attitude in training that he really wants to win and win decisively," Roach explained. “Sometimes, I cannot help but think he’s mad at this guy (Mayweather).”

Mayweather and Pacquiao will tangle in what is billed to be the richest fight in boxing history. Both fighters were gracious to each other in last week’s press conference in Los Angeles, but the cordiality apparently ended there for Pacquiao.

Roach insists that Pacquiao isn’t fond of Mayweather.

“I can feel when we’re doing the mitts. With the way he hits the mitts, I can see it on how he responds to the things we want him to do. The efforts he has been doing which I didn’t see in his previous similarly important fights,” the bespectacled cornerman explained.

“I've never seen him dislike an opponent in my life, but you know what, he doesn't like this guy. He won't say anything bad about him, but he won't say anything good about him either. I think Mayweather is his perfect opponent," Roach added.

Pacquiao is a slight underdog against Mayweather, and in order to make the showdown possible, has agreed to every demand by the undefeated American, who obviously is entering the bout as the A-side fighter.

Mayweather is set to pocket at least $120 million compared to Pacquiao’s $80 million. The former’s camp is also reported to control every aspect of the promotion, including ticket distribution.

That, Roach claimed, is what makes Pacquiao extra-motivated for the clash.

“Manny knows that very well, that is why he really is dipping his head and his whole body to the training regimen he himself, myself and the training team charted,” Roach continued.

 “Manny’s anger could be because everything has to be his (Mayweather’s) way. He has a comfort zone, like we couldn’t say anything about the fight until he announced it. He [Mayweather] is very, very insecure.” – Dino Maragay