Freddie Roach, trainer for eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao, believes his boxer's recent performance may have scared off Floyd Mayweather. (photo by Ryan Hafey)
This past Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Mayweather sat ringside and watched Pacquiao pick up a twelve round split decision to capture the WBA welterweight title from undefeated Keith Thurman.
After the fight, Pacquiao, 40-years-old, received high praise for a such performance at his age. He dropped Thurman early and went toe to toe with him during several of the rounds.
Roach is crossing his fingers for a potential rematch with Mayweather, who decisioned the Filipino star over twelve rounds in 2015.
But Roach believes his fighter's performance may have been a bit too good.
"I'm not sure. Mayweather seems to be a little evasive," Roach told Premier Boxing Champions.
"He was real quiet. He didn't stay at the fight after the decision was announced and call anyone out like he usually does. I think Manny scared him a little with that performance."
Earlier this week, Mayweather and Pacquiao were trading words on social media.
Mayweather began the tirade, angered over his name being mentioned for a potential rematch with Pacquiao.
"I find it real ironic how every time Pacquiao's name is brought up in the media, my name is always attached to it. This man's entire legacy and career has been built off its association with my name and it's about time you all stop using my brand for clout chasing and clickbait and let that man's name hold weight of its own," Mayweather stated.
"For years, all you heard was that 'Floyd is afraid of Manny Pacquiao,' but what's funny is, when we finally fought, I won so easily that everyone had to eat their words! All of the so called boxing experts, critics and jealous American 'fan base' either went mute and ran for cover or made every excuse in the world as to why I should give Manny Pacquiao a rematch.
"My take on all this bulls*** is that y’all are just upset that I broke Rocky Marciano's record and hate the fact that a black, high school dropout outsmarted you all by beating all odds and retiring undefeated while maintaining all my faculties simply by making smart choices and even smarter investments. Ultimately, I will always have the last laugh."
