Two days coming into the most awaited comeback fight of Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao against Mexican Brandon Rios, the rift between the two camps is heating up.
“He’s (Rios) a punching bag that swings back,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach claimed hours after Rios made a bold statement that he’s not a punching bag during the formal press conference for their 12-round bout.
“That’s the only difference between him and a punching bag.”
Wednesday, Roach was kicked by Pacquiao’s former strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza after engaging with Rios trainer Robert Garcia in a shouting match.
Both camps exchanged curses, and Garcia decried racism after Roach shouted at Rios’ assistant trainer that he’s a “stupid Mexican.”
And that was clearly what Pacquiao needed as motivation.
“The most motivating thing for me was when he told me, `Freddie, are these the guys who made fun of you on TV?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ And he said, ‘Okay,’ and then he walked away. That’s all he needs to know,” Roach said after his conversation with Pacquiao.
Two days. Who’s your bet?
