By Edward Chaykovsky
On Thursday, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe had some choice words for Manny Pacquiao and members of his camp. Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, revealed yesterday that his boxer is not taking part in the traditional fight week grand arrivals at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao faces Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the venue on Saturday, May 2nd.
Ellerbe believes Pacquiao, and his trainer Freddie Roach, are crumbling under the pressure of the big event. He credits that as the reason for Pacquiao's refusal to take part in a final media conference call and the fight week grand arrivals.
"The spectacle, the magnitude of this event is something Manny has never been through before," Ellerbe said to Yahoo Sports. "He's been in a lot of big fights, but there are big fights and there is a Floyd Mayweather fight. There are obligations you have and things you have to do when you're in an event of this magnitude that he hasn't had to do before. He's not fighting no Chris Algieri now. This is a whole new ballgame," Ellerbe told Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports.
"Freddie Roach thinks he runs a tight camp, but I know everything that's happening there. I heard it's been a very rough camp. And now, I think it's dawning on Manny Pacquiao exactly what he's up against."
Roach responded to Yahoo Sports, sounding off in return to Ellerbe's comments.
"Your first problem is taking anything Ellerbe says seriously," Roach said. "He knows nothing about boxing. He couldn't spell box. He's just talking to talk."
