Arum never worried about Roach-Pacquiao

Bob Arum, Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, said he was never worried about trainer Freddie Roach’s inability to reach the fighter in the Philippines.

Roach, who wanted to discuss the location of their training camp for the Nov. 14 fight against Miguel Cotto, apparently had his calls intercepted by Pacquiao’s advisors. Camp will be set up in Baguio, in the northern part of the Philippines.

“This always happens with a big, superstar fighter,” Arum said. “People around him want to protect their territory. Manny loves Freddie but he’s also loyal to these guys as well. When Manny is in training camp, Freddie’s the boss. These guys don’t want Freddie to be the boss when he’s not in training. They think that usurps their territory.

“I just sit back, watch it all and try to keep peace. I try not to get too excited.”

Arum also defended Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s Canadian advisor, with whom Roach has been at odds. Roach said Koncz kept him from speaking to Pacquiao and quoted him as saying to the fighter, “You don’t have to talk to Freddie Roach. He’s just the trainer.”

“(Koncz) is a good guy in a thankless position,” Arum said. “When Manny says something, he has to jump, to make it happen.”

Pacquiao must train all but three weeks outside the United States for the bulk of camp to save on taxes here. He will begin training camp in Baguio, move to Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif., for two weeks and then go to Las Vegas for the final week of preparation.

The fight will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised on pay-per-view.

Source: ringtv.com