Roach: Rocky marriage behind Pacquiao’s poor fight vs. Marquez

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN Sports) – A rocky marriage was the main reason behind eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s poor showing against nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last year.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, trainer Freddie Roach revealed that his ward was served divorce papers from wife Jinkee on the eve of his fight against Marquez last November 12.

“All the distractions caught up to Manny in his last fight,” Roach said.

After Pacquiao pulled off a controversial unanimous decision over Marquez, the Filipino boxing legend desperately worked hard to save his marriage, reportedly deciding to give up all his vices and vice-related business ventures.

“He’s given away his cockfighting farm in the Philippines, sold his casino and his nightclub,” the boxing trainer said.

Before Pacquiao’s renewal, Roach said his lifestyle involved partying and late nights of gambling and excessive physical wear playing basketball.

“Now, he’s back with his wife, reading the Bible every day, and he’s given up basketball,” Roach added.

Pacquiao is currently training for his WBO welterweight title defense against Timothy Bradley set on June 9 at the Wild Card Boxing Gym owned by Roach.

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 knockouts) is hoping to come up with a sensational victory over Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) to make up for his lackluster performance against Marquez.

To regain the fearsome status he had lost after four consecutive victories by decision, Roach said Pacquiao should go all out and score a knockout win against Bradley.

“We’ll see, I’ll do my best,” Pacquiao said. “It’s an important fight. I want to … prove I can still fight.”

When asked for comments about Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao said the unbeaten American fighter proved that he still has the speed in his unanimous decision victory over Miguel Cotto last Saturday.

But Pacquiao remains remains skeptical of Mayweather’s intentions to make the super-fight the sports world wants.

“When he offered me only $40 million, I knew he didn’t want the fight,” Pacquiao said, estimating U.S. pay-per-view alone would generate at least $100 million. “And when he says the fight will never happen now, that’s because he doesn’t want the fight.

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