Floyd only has himself to blame -- The Sun

By GAVIN GLICKSMAN, The Sun

FREDDIE ROACH claims Floyd Mayweather only has himself to blame for the collapse of his mega fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather and the Filipino were due to clash on March 13 but negotiations broke down after Money insisted on random blood testing in the build-up to the bout.

The undefeated American still intends to box on the original date and Pacquiao has agreed to face Joshua Clottey in Dallas on the same night.

But while Roach insists his fighter is simply moving on with his career, the legendary trainer believes Mayweather never wanted the showdown.

He said: "Life goes on without Mayweather. He wouldn't agree to a limit of 14 days before the fight for the blood testing.

"We did our best to appease him but he wouldn't go along with it. Mayweather's people agreed to it but he wouldn't.

"I don't think he wants to fight Manny. It was a smoke screen for him to say no.

"I want to beat this guy's ass, believe me, but he won't give us the opportunity.

"We will fight him any day of the week but he doesn't make the rules."

Team Mayweather believe Pacquiao refused to agree to random testing as his performance is enhanced by drugs.

But Roach claims the pound-for-pound king has nothing to hide.

He added: "There are always doubters out there but Manny is clean.

"He has passed every drug test in the world."

Clottey is likely to pose one of the stiffest tests of Paquiao's career when they collide at Cowboys Stadium.

The Ghanaian is desperate to get his hands on Pac Man's WBO welterweight title after failing in previous attempts to win the belt from Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.

And Pacquiao admits he is in for a hard night's work.

He said: "It's going to be a good fight. Clottey is a good fighter, a top fighter, and he is bigger than me.


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"I have to prepare hard for this fight and train hard and focus."

Clottey, who lost three times in his 39-fight career, insists he is not simply 'filling in' for Mayweather.

And the 32-year-old cannot wait to step in the ring with the man currently considered to be the best fighter on the planet.

He said: "This is going to be a hell of a fight — I love Manny.

"If you throw punches at him, he will throw back at you. I know what I'm going to face."

Source: thesun.co.uk