Boxing trainer Freddie Roach could not help but shake his head in
disbelief when Juan Manuel Marquez picked a fight against Timothy
Bradley instead of Manny Pacquiao.
Roach said a stockpile of money would have been made with a fifth clash between Pacquiao and Marquez.
“He picked Bradley instead of us. I was very surprised because the
money issue itself, he could have made a lot more with Pacquiao,” the
boxing trainer told Koncrete Jungle.
“He wanted $20 million, but he could have at least made $10 million. But that's his story,” Roach said.
Marquez was actually offered $13 million for a fifth bout against
Pacquiao, who yielded a knockout loss to the Mexican last December.
But Marquez believes that his legacy is far more important than
money, which is why he opted for a world title fight against Bradley.
"[Bradley] and Marquez had a good deal together or something like
that, but I don't really see that fight as being too interesting,
because who really cares who wins that fight," Roach said.
Pacquiao and Marquez have already gone through four bouts, with the Filipino winning two of their four clashes. Their first meeting ended in a draw.
Roach believes Marquez will come to his senses, be a gentleman, and grant Pacquiao the fifth fight.
“I'm sure we'll be meeting him somewhere down the line,” he said.
