Philippine
boxer Manny Pacquiao (right) and his coach Freddie Roach talk during a
pre-fight press conference in Shanghai on August 26, 2014 (AFP
Photo/Johannes Eisele)
Freddie
Roach denied media reports published Friday that he had ordered armed
guards to protect Manny Pacquiao at his Hollywood gym.
The
UK's Daily Mail newspaper reported that Roach had personally ordered
security guards at his Wildcard gym in Los Angeles to carry guns "so
people respect them" as Pacquiao trains in the build-up to his May 2
megafight with Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
But
Roach, in Macau to supervise the corner of China's Zou Shiming as he
challenges for the IBF flyweight world title against Amnat Ruenroeng of
Thailand on Saturday, told AFP: "Yeah I heard something about that. It's
not true.
"We have our normal security. To say they are armed and and are patrolling outside the gym is bullshit."
Roach's
gym, where he has trained 34 world champions in an illustrious career
that has seen him inducted into boxing's Hall of Fame, is renowned for
being open to all so fans can catch glimpses of their favourite
fighters.
But Roach said that
the doors will be closed to media and fans during most of Pacquiao's
training sessions, so his opponents don't get any clues to their
preparations.
"Yes we will
work with Manny in private to prepare for Floyd -- that's normal. But to
say I've ordered armed security is absolute bullshit," Roach said.
Philippines
eight-weight world champions and undefeated welterweight Floyd
Mayweather will finally go glove-to-glove in May to decide who is the
best fighter of their generation in a contest expected to break all
records and generate in the region of $300 million dollars.
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