Roach: Mayweather knows Pacquaio can walk through him

I tracked down global gypsy and Manny Pacquiao trainer-guru Coach Freddie Roach to a smoky, noisy bar inside the Newscastle Hilton Hotel late Friday night.


Roach sends his young charge and WBA junior welterweight champ Amir Khan, the Bolton Bomber, into the ring in Newcastle On Thyne Saturday night against talking big, unbeaten challenger Dimitriy Saleta (Brooklyn, New York).


As far as you Paclanders having any worries about the Pacquiao-Mayweather Super Fight Express Train, bound for destiny on March 12, without Coach Roach’s full approval, rest easy.


Roach has been very firm in saying he preferred a May fight date, the better for Megamanny to heal up from any cuffing he took in stopping Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.


But Pacquiao, as revealed to me by Bob Arum speaking by phone from Manila Firday morning (NY time), has given a full greenlight to his promoter to close the deal with undefeated Mayweather for March 13.


There’s even a Big Apple massive presser set for Jan. 11.


No problem, sayeth Coach Roach from Old Blighty.


“If Manny says yes, if Manny is OK with the March 13 date, then certainly I am also,” Roach said.


“We will have to start training right after New Year’s Day so that we get our customary 10 weeks in. I guess we will have a month in the Philippines followed by the remainder at my (Wild Card, Hollywood) gym.


“I really like it when Manny stays so active, when there is not much down time. He stays sharp and that is good.”


Roach said he also thinks minimizing Manny’s political distractions would benefit the fighter.


As far as competing against a proven Hall Of Fame lock candidate who has yet to be whipped, Roach is not trembling in his booties.


“We see flaws in Mayweather,” Roach said. “Sure, he is great defensively but we see some flaws which we can exploit.


“Whether it’s those shoulder rolls or anything else, defense does not win fights completely. We know what we can do against Mayweather. I know Manny can’t be hurt by Mayweather and Mayweather knows it also.


“Manny can walk right through anything Mayweather throws. So what happens then we shall see.”


On the upcoming Congressional campaign in Sarangani Province, Roach said having it in the back of his mind won’t deter Manny’s fight preparation.


“I do think it helps that the election campaign goes on after this key fight. We can have as good if not a better training camp than we had for the last fight.”


Roach is fully on board the Mayweather-Pacquiao Express and ready to roll.


That collective sign of relief you hear is millions of Paclanders exhaling.