Las Vegas, Nevada: Floyd Mayweather's father-trainer Floyd Sr. and Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach were involved in a heated exchange of words during a round-table talk with media at the MGM Grand Arena, a day after the relatively uneventful final press conference.
Both trainers promised a ‘real’ battle when their fighters meet on May 2 (May 3 UAE time) for the much-anticipated fight of the century.
Mayweather Sr. said he is overwhelmed by the staggering amount of money that will be generated by the fight, which is expected to be the highest-grossing in history. “I've never seen anything like this before. Everything is so big," he said.
"My guy can deliver," said Roach. "But I can't promise about the other guy (Mayweather). He could run all night."
"I have fallen asleep in a couple of his fights in the past," added Roach, alluding to Mayweather's defence-oriented style.
Roach said he's confident Pacquiao is in tip-top shape and has a strategy to bring the fight to the elusive Mayweather.
"My guy is ready to go and I think we're ready to go,” said Roach. "He's prepared for whatever Mayweather brings into the fight. If he (Mayweather) wanted to run, we'll catch him.”
Mayweather Sr. likewise assured his undefeated son will put on an action-packed show against Pacquiao.
"There will be much of a fight," said Mayweather Sr.
"Are you sure of that?" a reporter asked.
"Sure," replied Mayweather, who even predicted a knockout victory for his son. “Yeah, we’re going to go at him. We're going to knock him out. This fight is over already.
"I won't tell you what round, but it's going to happen."
Roach was a lot more composed during the session, while Mayweather Sr. was quite the opposite – more animated, sometimes even agitated, in answering questions.
At one point, he pointed a finger to a reporter who had just asked a question, asking in return if the reporter knows boxing.
Mayweather Sr. also flared up when Roach said that his son might not show up during the fight itself.
“He didn’t want this fight," Roach said. "Every fight he has had in his lifetime was one that he picked. This is the first one he was forced into and I feel he was uncomfortable. They made him take it.”
Responding to his rival cornerman, Mayweather Sr. said: "Roach is a joke with no hope.”
