By Mark Vester
Since the day the fight was signed, trainer Freddie Roach picked Floyd Mayweather Jr. to win a twelve round decision over WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley. The fight is only a few days away, taking place on May 1 in Las Vegas, and Roach is still backing Mayweather to win on points. Roach doesn't think Mosley will be able to deal with the speed or counter-punching style of Mayweather.
“Mosley likes guys coming at him, that’s why he looked so good against [Antonio] Margarito, but it is not the same story when he fights counter-punchers. Manny wanted to face Margarito after he beat Oscar De La Hoya. Margarito suited Mosley down to his bootlaces. Mayweather won’t do that. Mayweather will bide his time, and he’ll be quicker than Mosley. Mayweather is a brilliant boxer, but he’s not a crowd pleaser. It may not be a great fight,” Roach told Gareth Davies of The Telegraph.
If Mayweather wins, Roach still wants the fight with Manny Pacquiao to take place. He thinks a deal can be reached on the issue of Olympic Style drug testing, which caused the negotiations to fall apart earlier this year. If Pacquiao beats Mayweather, Roach would like to see him retire. If Mayweather is not there, Roach may have to settle for either Antonio Margarito or Juan Manuel Marquez.
“Manny wants the fight. The drug testing issue is there, but we’ll come to an agreement. I’d like Manny to fight Mayweather next, if Mayweather wins, and then retire after that fight. It would be the greatest test for Manny, and he would have to fight the perfect fight. I think Manny has nowhere to go after that, and I’m just pleased he has lots of interests and businesses outside the sport,” Roach said.
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