Roach: Mayweather Won't Be Easy, But Pacquiao Wins

By Edward Chaykovsky

Trainer Freddie Roach would like to see his prized pupil, Manny Pacquiao, faces WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2014. Pacquiao is scheduled to return to action on April 12, likely in Las Vegas. Mayweather is back in action on May 3rd, also in Las Vegas. Pacquiao snapped a two-fight losing streak to win a dominating twelve round decision over Brandon Rios on Saturday night in Macau, China.

Roach won't argue that Pacquiao is no longer the same fighter, but he also says Mayweather is no longer the same fighter either.

“Manny slowed down but Floyd slowed down too, and that’s a bigger factor for him because of his defensive stance. I’m not saying it will be an easy fight for us, of course we need a great game plan for someone like Floyd,” Roach said. “But if you’re asking me, I’ll still pick Manny over Floyd."