Pacquiao denies rift with Roach

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday denied rumors that he has a rift with his longtime trainer Freddie Roach, who had earlier revealed he has yet to receive his payment for the Jeff Horn match.

“I have no problem with coach Freddie Roach. I'm not the one paying him, it's Bob Arum,” Pacquiao said in a statement sent to reporters, referring to the Top Rank Promotions CEO.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Roach said he was unsure if Pacquiao was “upset” with him after the Horn match.

“I really don’t know if he’s mad at me…But I can tell you this: I haven’t been paid yet. So who knows?” Roach said.

Pacquiao, who lost his WBO welterweight title in his July 2 Brisbane, Australia fight against Horn, said he has not been paid either.

“The trainer's fee is automatically deducted by the Top Rank from my purse. So, if coach Freddie has not yet received his payment, we are [in] the same boat. My purse has not yet been released by Arum,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao is said to be paid a guaranteed US$10 million for his appearance in the match.

The reported rift between the two comes following the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) review declaring Horn as the clear winner of fight.

Also on Wednesday, Pacquiao hinted about not retiring anytime soon, saying he will continue to fight “until the passion is gone.” —JST/KVD, GMA News