Roach: Pacquiao’s been preparing for bigger fight than Ugas, don’t think it’s risky
Pacquiao and Ugas collide for a welterweight world title tomorrow evening.
During this video interview with Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, leading into this tomorrow’s Showtime PPV fight against Yordenis Ugas, Roach fields some questions from Fight Hub TV about the matchup and what could potentially come next for his fighter. Check out some excerpts of what Roach had to say below.
Roach on why Pacquiao would take on a dangerous opponent like Ugas on short notice
“I don’t think it’s really risky, I think it’s a good fight. Both guys were getting ready for a fight and both guys were in shape, no excuses, no one says they need more time...Errol Spence, I really like that fight and I thought it was gonna be two of the best fighters in the world fighting each other and I was looking forward to that fight but this guy, I saw what’s available on tape for him and he looked good in a couple. (Ugas) is a good puncher, big overhand right, so I think it’s a good fight for Manny so we substituted the fight.”
On if he thinks Ugas has anything to give Pacquiao real problems
“Manny’s been preparing for a fight that’s bigger than this, I think, and the only thing (Ugas) really has is a big overhand right, that’s what he has to watch out for, that’s what he’s always trying to land. Manny’s not gonna let him hit him with that. So we worked on it and we had three new sparring partners come and work three days and everyone’s fine.”
On if their team is disheartened that they aren’t getting the fight against Spence
“Well, it was two of the best fighters going against each other and I think boxing needs more of that, when the best fight the best, so it was disappointing that it went the other way but there’s really nothing we can do about it. I mean, is he faking his detached retina? I don’t think so. I mean, that sounds ridiculous. But the thing is we’re here and we’re ready for this fight.”
On if he was confident that Pacquiao would’ve beaten Spence based on how training camp was going
“It would’ve been a good fight but I like Manny in the fight and we had a good strategy going into that fight and we have a good strategy going into this fight...I think Spence is probably a better boxer (than Ugas) but the thing is he’s not unbeatable, though.”
On Pacquiao potentially moving down to 140 to face Josh Taylor
“It depends how comfortable he is making 140 pounds. I mean we’ve talked about it before and it seems like it’s possible, yes, but will it make him weak? I’m not sure. So that’s a factor that can happen maybe next but we’ll see.”