Can Freddie Roach cancel if Mayweather comes in over?

Pittsburgh Fight Sports Examiner | Scott Heritage

Freddie Roach is a man who always has a lot on his mind, and leading up to the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight this has been especially true. There are sparring partners to arrange, training sessions with the various fighters he trains and also upcoming legal trouble with the reporter he shoved.

One of the biggest worries on Roach's mind though is probably what will happen if Floyd Mayweather comes in over weight for his fight with Roach's fighter Manny Pacquiao.

Roach has said several times in the past the he will not let the fight go ahead if the weight isn't met, and doesn't want any 'wiggle room' for Mayweather to come in over weight and be penalized a small amount of money. (Not small to you and me, but small in terms of a $40 million dollar pay day)

The real question though is whether Roach has the influence and power to actually make good on his threats if the unthinkable happens. Supposing Floyd does come in over and can't cut the remaining weight in time on the day of the weigh in, will the fight still go ahead?

The answer is probably yes, despite what Roach thinks about it. Pacquiao himself will have the final say, but won't be eager to waste months of training and build up. Not to mention he is a fight all comers kind of champion, and won't be intimidated by a few extra pounds, even if they could make the difference between a win and a loss. As much as he obviously respects Roach, pressure from others in his team as well as from Top Rank will encourage Pac-man to take the fight anyway.

Not to mention that Manny wont want to lose a $40 million pay day with all the expenses he has with his political campaign, large team and family and friends he helps out.

As things stand at the moment, the remaining point to be agreed upon for the contract is the weight. Mayweather and his team want some leeway over the 147lb welterweight limit. Pacquiao and Roach want the limit to be strictly enforced, and aren't willing to let Mayweather come in over and simply have to pay Pacquiao for an unfair advantage.

Mayweather himself is remaining quiet about this sticking point in the contract, but other than an advantage there doesn't seem to be any other reason for wanting the stipulation. It isn't as if Mayweather, who trains harder than most boxers out there will have trouble making 147lbs if he really wants to. Floyd is a great fighter and knows the boxing game inside out, and these kinds of things are often used in contract negotiations. In most fights these kinds of things aren't ever heard about because the contracts are usually completed quickly and the fights aren't as prestigious.

Of course the truth of the matter is that Roach should have the power to veto if the conditions of the contract aren't met. After all Roach is only looking out for the best interests of his fighter and isn't worried about the money or promoters. He only wants what's best for Manny, and if he thinks that calling off the fight is the best thing to do for both of them, then that's what he will try to to.

The worry is that he might not have enough influence over Manny if everyone else is calling for the fight to go ahead despite whatever Floyd might do. If the fight were smaller or there were less money at stake then this wouldn't be an issue, and Roach would be the first man satisfied with everything for the fight to go ahead.

This whole issue might well just be a ploy on the part of the Mayweather's to get other concessions added to the fight contract. They might want Mayweather to be the first name on the posters and promotional material. Similarly they might already have used the weight issue to choose where the fight takes place. Either way the ball probably wont be in Roach's court when the weigh in takes place, which is a worry he will have to deal with when and if it happens.

Source: Examiner.com