LAS VEGAS — Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach is concerned that his camp has not been allowed to inspect the customized Grant gloves Floyd Mayweather is expected to wear on May 2.
Roach, who conducted a final “media roundtable” with writers this morning, confirmed that Pacquiao’s Reyes gloves have already turned over to Mayweather’s camp for approval.
“I just asked permission for both gloves to be weighed, ” said Roach. “Their gloves are hand-made by Grant and ours by Reyes. I want to make sure the gloves are fair. Now his gloves haven’t shown up and I want to know what they’re made out of: half horsehair, half-foam, full foam or full horsehair. I’m concerned about what they’re made of. They were concerned with mine but ours were tested. We haven’t had the chance to test theirs.”
While many are predicting Mayweather will use the early rounds to “figure out” Pacquiao, Roach argues Mayweather’s strategy with take a page from Pacquiao’s fourth fight and knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez.
“I wouldn’t watch the (fourth) Marquez fight so much for the knockout. I’d watch the first knockdown,” Roach explained. “Floyd saw Manny get hit with that big overhand right. It was kind of a sucker shot in the sense it’s a shot fighters like him shouldn’t get hit with. We’ve learned from it and worked a lot on that. As a coach I’ve advised him how to take advantage of Floyd going for that shot.”
Mayweather has used customized Grant gloves for his back to back 2014 decision wins over Marcos Maidana.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 