Roach taps ex-Mayweather teammate as Pacquiao’s sparmate

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach, the longtime boxing coach of Manny Pacquiao, has acquired the services of Floyd Mayweather Jr’s former teammate to be one of his valued pupil’s sparring partners.

Pacquiao, who is on his 25th day in training camp for the long-awaited bout against Mayweather on May 2 (May 3 in PH), spearheaded his sparring sessions two weeks ago, showing off his speed and power against the likes of Rashidi Ellis, Kenneth Sims Jr and two unidentified boxers.

Roach, a seven-time BWAA “Trainer of the Year” awardee, revealed that he enlisted Mayweather’s old sparmate who had a terrible break-up with the sport’s reigning pound-for-pound king, but he did not disclose the fighter’s identity.

“I got six really good guys that all look like Mayweather. I have one that I’m going to use in the last two weeks is one that used to work at Mayweather’s gym and was part of Mayweather’s camp,” he stated in an interview with On The Ropes Boxing Radio.

Mayweather is known for his distinctive brand of defensive guile, utilizing his shoulder roll, high-guard and elbow block to get rid of the shots from his opponents.

In addition, he is likewise recognized as a minimal-but-accurate hitter, clobbering his counterparts with a drop jab, leaning right hand and inside slap hook.

“He does the style really well. He’s my secret weapon right now,” Roach said of his new recruit.

Pacquiao’s 55-year-old mentor also shared that the unnamed boxer is currently living with him at his house in Los Angeles, California and helps him in plotting the precise strategy that the Filipino southpaw could execute when he collides with Mayweather in the ring.

“He’s staying at my house. We talk about strategy all night long, and we watch film all night long. He said that Mayweather had disrespected him and they kind of just threw him aside,” Roach stressed.

This past October, Mayweather’s camp gave a pink slip to a fighter named Luis Arias, a 24-year-old Cuban-American boxer who turned professional in 2012.

Arias reportedly argued that the release stemmed from his association with Hasim Rahman and brother Sharif, who have filed a lawsuit against Mayweather due to a lengthy sparring session that was featured on an episode of Showtime’s All Access reality television show that promoted the unbeaten American pugilist’s rematch with Marcos Maidana last September.

Rappler tried to reach Arias for confirmation, but he has not sent any reply as of the moment. – Rappler.com