Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will be facing different opponents in their respective next bouts, but the two boxing superstar could finally square off this year.
Freddie Roach knows that the potential record-breaking showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao will not happen anytime soon, but the Hall of Fame trainer believes that with no attractive opponents in sight for both fighters, the two of them will eventually agree to face each other.
"I think we're closer and closer to a Mayweather fight," Roach said in an interview with The Sweet Science. "It's only rumors now, but I think the rumors will come true. I don't think either Manny or Mayweather has anywhere else to go."
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Mayweather has yet to name his next opponent as well as Pacquiao in their next fights that will take place in May and April, respectively.
Recent reports suggested that the undefeated American is leaning towards facing Amir Khan or Marcos Maidana, while Pacquiao will go up against either Timothy Bradley or Ruslan Provodnikov.
Both fighters are expected to generate good numbers in their next fight, but it would be nothing compared to the potential numbers that they could get if they decide to square off soon.
Mayweather, who recently took a swipe on Pacquiao's tax woes, is standing firm on his stance that the super fight will not happen until the Filipino boxing icon is under Top Rank Promotions headed by Bob Arum. But if that will be the only hindrance, Roach believes that Arum will be willing to step aside if Pacquiao asks him to do so.
"You've got to give the fans what they want and most important, you as the promoter have to give the fighter what he wants," Roach said. "I think Arum being the promoter and the professional that he is, will give Manny that fight. I like that September date, I'm pushing for it."
And if the potential record-breaking showdown will finally be arranged, Roach stood firm on his previous prediction that his fighter will emerge victorious against the undefeated pound-for-pound king.
Roach previously said that Pacquiao is not the same fighter as he was three years ago, but the world-renowned trainer insisted that Mayweather also showed signs of slowing down in his previous fight against Saul Alvarez.
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