Actually, roach can't help himself get excited at the prospect of seeing him and Pacquiao get involved in a fight many sees as the biggest of all time.
"I can't wait to get started," said Roach, interviewed by Sky Sports News in London, where he is currently attending to Amir Khan's World Boxing Association (WBA) light-welterweight title defense against Dmitry Salita.
"We talked to (promoter Bob) Arum and he had March date and May 1 available, and Manny chose the earlier date because of the elections in the Philippines,
Roach earlier expressed reservation on Pacquiao taking to unbeaten Mayweather too soon in the wake of his 12-round stoppage of Miguel Cotto just last month, a bloody fight where the Filipino also got his own share of bruises, including a broken right eardrum.
But late Friday night, Pacquiao announced on national television that he has already given his nod to fight the 32-year-old Mayweather on the proposed date given by Arum.
"I'm okay with March 13, Bob (Arum) is just finalizing the details," said the boxing superstar from General Santos City. The date of the mega fights has been one of the many concerns during the negotiations Arum had with Golden Boy Promotions' Richard Schaefer, the man Mayweather Jr. allowed to negotiate in his behalf.
Arum took into consideration the fact that Pacquiao is running for a congressional seat in the lone district of Saranggani province during the national elections two months after the Mayweather fight.
And then of course, there's the Cotto fight factor.
But Pacquiao adviser Michael Konz, said the time world champion doesn't see any problem in a relatively small four-month window to get in shape for boxing's biggest fight.
"nobody knows his body better than Manny. If Manny feels that the plenty of time to rest and recover, then you know, he has to do what he feels is right," Koncz said.
Although thrilled by the showdown, Roach admitted taking on Mayweather Jr. is definitely though.
It's a tough fight because his (Mayweather's) style does give us difficulties, and we need to draft a plan for a new strategy. Yes, it's a tough fight, but it's fight Manny wants," said the three-time Trainer of the Year.
Both fighters reportedly agreed to 50-50 split of the prize purse, with Pacquiao staking the World Boxing Organization(WBO) welterweight title he won from Cotto, meaqning the fight would be at 147 pounds.
The two will also wear 9 ounce gloves, although each will be allowed to select the brand of gloves he will wear for the fight.
The venue of the bout has also yet to be finalized, with the Dallas Cowboys stadium, the New Orleans Superdome and venues in Las Vegas, including the MGM Grand and a temporary outdoor stadium on the Strip, among those being considered.
SOURCE: PEOPLE'S TONIGHT
AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS
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