Eight division champion Manny Pacquiao has denied that he's stiffed his hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
In a recent interview, Roach revealed that his star pupil for the last decade barely spoke to him in the aftermath of the recent twelve round decision loss to Jeff Horn. The loss was unexpected, with nearly every expert picking Pacquiao to either dominate or knock the untested Horn out. Neither happened, with Horn winning a unanimous decision based on scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113.
There is a rematch clause in play, if Pacquiao decides to go in that direction. Pacquiao revealed on Tuesday night that he's going to continue his career forward. If a rematch happens, it would take place in the fall on a date in October or November.
After the contest was over at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Roach claims that Pacquiao wouldn't even say two words to him or look him in the eyes. Roach also claims that he's yet to be paid for his work in the fight.
“I was trying to see where his head was at, and I could not even get him to say hi to me. I don’t know if he was upset with me or what,” Roach told Sports Illustrated.
“I really don’t know if he’s mad at me. But I can tell you this: I haven’t been paid yet. So who knows?”
Pacquiao issued a statement, letting everyone know that Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum is in charge of paying Roach. And the boxer revealed that he hasn't been paid either. He also denied that there was any friction with his long-time trainer.
"My purse has not yet been released by Arum," said Pacquiao. "I have no problem with coach Freddie Roach. I'm not the one paying him. It's Bob Arum. So if coach Freddie has not yet received his payment, we are on the same boat."
2023-10-18 22:52:07
