By Michael Marley
A story has been circulating which claims that Coach Freddie Roach is pushing the winner of the Amir Khan-Timothy Bradley 140-pound unification to take on Manny Pacquiao, next. Roach is the head trainer for Pacquiao and Khan. The story is a sick joke.
First of all, the veteran Roach would not say it unless he was obviously trying to inflate the value of a Bradley-Khan fight. Since that fight has not even been signed yet, there's no reason for Roach to hype it.
Second, does anyone in his right mind think Roach would do or say anything which might even possibly disturb his prized pupil Pacquiao's final preparations for the May 7 test against "Sugar" Shane Mosley?
I spoke with Pacquiao's head of public relations, the respected p.r. maven, Fred Sternburg.
"Freddie is usually careful with his words," Sternburg said. "We have a Media Day Wednesday so I will see Freddie and Manny then but I don't see Freddie saying that.
"Maybe it just got misinterpreted, maybe Freddie was just saying that Khan is a top level fighter, a guy who can fight anybody now. Why would Freddie choose sides with two of his own fighters? Besides, Manny has said he's friends with Amir and is not interested in fighting his friend. Stranger things have happened but I don't see this..."
This story is as flimsy as a house made of short straws.
Third, Khan has gone on record as saying several times that he would not contemplate fighting Pacquiao because of their friendship and because he would not to make Coach Freddie choose between them.
If you want a fourth and final reason, given the continuing friction and litigation between Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum and Khan promoter Golden Boy - I think that about wraps it up.
Did I mention how obnoxious and insulting this story is? It is just not worthy of belief.