8CN Freddie Roach Exclusive! " We signed the contract"

8CountNews just spoke with Freddie Roach and got an update on the status of the super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Roach informs 8CN that Manny has signed the contract, and they are waiting for Mayweather to sign his. Roach confirms that both fighters have agreed on the purse money, and the glove size. Freddie also confirms that Dallas, Texas is in the running as a possible venue spot for the fight. Don't miss what else Freddie Roach had to say in this exclusive 8CN interview.

8CN - Freddie, thanks for joining us. Can you give us a status update on the Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather Jr fight?

FR - Everything looks good. We have agreed on the glove size, and the weight. I talked to Arum, Dallas wants the fight, MGM wants the fight, Yankee Stadium wants the fight, so it's just trying to find out where the venue is. The fight looks good.

8CN - Do you think at this point anything can snag it, or throw this fight off of the tracks?

FR - Well anything is possible with Floyd Mayweather involved, but we signed our contract and that's all I care about. There is nothing that I can do about the other guy. I don't know if they officially signed, but we have.

8CN - Have you heard anything about New Orleans being a possible venue for the fight?

FR - I haven't heard that, but I am sure Bob Arum is looking everywhere possible.

8CN - Talk about the match-up. How does Manny match up against Floyd?

FR - It's a difficult fight, it's the most difficult style for us to go against because he is a runner and a counter puncher. We will go to camp and we will make some changes, we will set traps for this guy. This is completely opposite of the Cotto fight, opposite of the Hatton fight, and opposite from the De La Hoya fight. We will come up with a new game plan, a 10 week camp, and some changes. We will work on setting traps and taking Floyd's speed away from him.

8CN - Many of Mayweather's detractors accuse of him cherry picking his opponents and fighting smaller guys. You are an ex fighter, and the best trainer in the world. How do you answer his critics?

FR- It's the best fighting the best right now. People can say what they want, but he's very good at what he does. He's not an exciting fighter, but he's good at what he does. Let's face it, he's never been beat. We are going to come up with a great game-plan, I know my guy can do it. We will get in shape and we will try to make it as exciting as possible. Floyd is not an offensive guy he's a very defensive fighter, but defense doesn't win fights, offense does. We will excel in those areas, and we can match his hand-speed. Mayweather is very clever, it's a challenge for both men.

8CN - Will you train in PI and in USA again?

FR - Yes one month in PI and one in Los Angeles. I have no problem with that.

8CN - And just to confirm, March 13th is the date?

FR - March 13th is the date, that's not going to change.